Chattanooga TN vs Jersey City NJ — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Chattanooga, TN
Tennessee · Population: 182,832
- Median HH Income$61,028
- Median Home Price$322,291
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+35.5%
Jersey City, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 289,691
- Median HH Income$94,813
- Median Home Price$664,939
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+53.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chattanooga
182,832
Jersey City
289,691
Jersey City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chattanooga
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
Median Age
Chattanooga
36.6
Jersey City
34.7
Jersey City +
Foreign Born
Chattanooga
7.7%
Jersey City
41.3%
Jersey City +
White
Chattanooga
58.4%
Chattanooga +
Jersey City
28.7%
Black
Chattanooga
28.6%
Chattanooga +
Jersey City
21.4%
Asian
Chattanooga
2.4%
Jersey City
25.8%
Jersey City +
Hispanic
Chattanooga
9.3%
Jersey City
25.7%
Jersey City +
Spanish at Home
Chattanooga
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 289,691 | Jersey City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 34.7 | Jersey City + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 41.3% | Jersey City + |
| White | 58.4% | 28.7% | Chattanooga + |
| Black | 28.6% | 21.4% | Chattanooga + |
| Asian | 2.4% | 25.8% | Jersey City + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 25.7% | Jersey City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chattanooga
$61,028
Jersey City
$94,813
Jersey City +
Per Capita Income
Chattanooga
$40,040
Jersey City
$57,746
Jersey City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chattanooga
$59,097
Jersey City
$77,416
Jersey City +
Unemployment Rate
Chattanooga
4.9%
Chattanooga +
Jersey City
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Chattanooga
17.6%
Jersey City
15.6%
Jersey City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chattanooga
35.5%
Jersey City
53.1%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,028 | $94,813 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,040 | $57,746 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $77,416 | Jersey City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.8% | Chattanooga + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.6% | 15.6% | Jersey City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 53.1% | Jersey City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chattanooga
$322,291
Chattanooga +
Jersey City
$664,939
Homeownership Rate
Chattanooga
53.1%
Chattanooga +
Jersey City
28.8%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $322,291 | $664,939 | Chattanooga + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 28.8% | Chattanooga + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
639
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
2350
Jersey City
1426
Jersey City +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 218 | Jersey City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1426 | Jersey City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
36.3%
Jersey City
26.2%
Jersey City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
13.9%
Jersey City
9.6%
Jersey City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chattanooga
19.2%
Jersey City
14.9%
Jersey City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
12.7%
Jersey City
12.0%
Jersey City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
14.2%
Chattanooga +
Jersey City
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
16.7%
Jersey City
10.3%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 26.2% | Jersey City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 9.6% | Jersey City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 14.9% | Jersey City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 12.0% | Jersey City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 16.3% | Chattanooga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 10.3% | Jersey City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Jersey City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
52.5 in
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
8.9 µg/m³
Jersey City
8.7 µg/m³
Jersey City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chattanooga
75.0%
Jersey City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Jersey City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chattanooga
20.3 min
Chattanooga +
Jersey City
40.3 min
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 40.3 min | Chattanooga + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jersey City leads in median household income at $94,813, while chattanooga offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $322,291. On public safety, Jersey City is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Chattanooga. Chattanooga has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Jersey City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Jersey City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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