Chattanooga TN vs Joliet IL — 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%
Joliet, IL
Illinois · Population: 149,785
- Median HH Income$88,026
- Median Home Price$264,637
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chattanooga
182,832
Chattanooga +
Joliet
149,785
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chattanooga
N/A
Joliet
N/A
Median Age
Chattanooga
36.6
Joliet
35.3
Joliet +
Foreign Born
Chattanooga
7.7%
Joliet
15.2%
Joliet +
White
Chattanooga
58.4%
Chattanooga +
Joliet
52.7%
Black
Chattanooga
28.6%
Chattanooga +
Joliet
17.0%
Asian
Chattanooga
2.4%
Chattanooga +
Joliet
2.1%
Hispanic
Chattanooga
9.3%
Joliet
34.7%
Joliet +
Spanish at Home
Chattanooga
N/A
Joliet
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 149,785 | Chattanooga + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 35.3 | Joliet + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 15.2% | Joliet + |
| White | 58.4% | 52.7% | Chattanooga + |
| Black | 28.6% | 17.0% | Chattanooga + |
| Asian | 2.4% | 2.1% | Chattanooga + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 34.7% | Joliet + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chattanooga
$61,028
Joliet
$88,026
Joliet +
Per Capita Income
Chattanooga
$40,040
Chattanooga +
Joliet
$35,820
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chattanooga
$59,097
Joliet
$68,110
Joliet +
Unemployment Rate
Chattanooga
4.9%
Chattanooga +
Joliet
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Chattanooga
17.6%
Joliet
11.0%
Joliet +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chattanooga
35.5%
Chattanooga +
Joliet
25.0%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,028 | $88,026 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,040 | $35,820 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $68,110 | Joliet + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.8% | Chattanooga + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.6% | 11.0% | Joliet + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 25.0% | Chattanooga + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chattanooga
$322,291
Joliet
$264,637
Joliet +
Homeownership Rate
Chattanooga
53.1%
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $322,291 | $264,637 | Joliet + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 73.1% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
639
Joliet
344
Joliet +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
2350
Joliet
1842
Joliet +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 344 | Joliet + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1842 | Joliet + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
36.3%
Chattanooga +
Joliet
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
13.9%
Joliet
11.7%
Joliet +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chattanooga
19.2%
Joliet
17.7%
Joliet +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
12.7%
Chattanooga +
Joliet
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
14.2%
Chattanooga +
Joliet
19.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
16.7%
Joliet
14.0%
Joliet +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 41.9% | Chattanooga + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 11.7% | Joliet + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 17.7% | Joliet + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 13.9% | Chattanooga + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 19.1% | Chattanooga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.0% | Joliet + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Joliet
50.6°F
Joliet +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
52.5 in
Joliet
36.8 in
Joliet +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 50.6°F | Joliet + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5 in | 36.8 in | Joliet + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
8.9 µg/m³
Chattanooga +
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chattanooga
75.0%
Chattanooga +
Joliet
55.0%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Chattanooga + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Chattanooga + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chattanooga
20.3 min
Chattanooga +
Joliet
31.7 min
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 31.7 min | Chattanooga + |
Which City is Right for You?
Joliet leads in median household income at $88,026, while joliet offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,637. On public safety, Joliet is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Chattanooga. Chattanooga has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Chattanooga has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chattanooga scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.3%.
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