Chattanooga TN vs Kansas City KS — 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%
Kansas City, KS
Kansas · Population: 154,776
- Median HH Income$59,183
- Median Home Price$202,558
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+20.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chattanooga
182,832
Chattanooga +
Kansas City
154,776
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chattanooga
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
Median Age
Chattanooga
36.6
Kansas City
34.0
Kansas City +
Foreign Born
Chattanooga
7.7%
Kansas City
18.6%
Kansas City +
White
Chattanooga
58.4%
Chattanooga +
Kansas City
44.0%
Black
Chattanooga
28.6%
Chattanooga +
Kansas City
20.4%
Asian
Chattanooga
2.4%
Kansas City
5.3%
Kansas City +
Hispanic
Chattanooga
9.3%
Kansas City
35.0%
Kansas City +
Spanish at Home
Chattanooga
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 154,776 | Chattanooga + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 34.0 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 18.6% | Kansas City + |
| White | 58.4% | 44.0% | Chattanooga + |
| Black | 28.6% | 20.4% | Chattanooga + |
| Asian | 2.4% | 5.3% | Kansas City + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 35.0% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chattanooga
$61,028
Chattanooga +
Kansas City
$59,183
Per Capita Income
Chattanooga
$40,040
Chattanooga +
Kansas City
$28,059
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chattanooga
$59,097
Kansas City
$61,860
Kansas City +
Unemployment Rate
Chattanooga
4.9%
Chattanooga +
Kansas City
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Chattanooga
17.6%
Chattanooga +
Kansas City
17.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chattanooga
35.5%
Chattanooga +
Kansas City
20.2%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,028 | $59,183 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,040 | $28,059 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $61,860 | Kansas City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.5% | Chattanooga + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.6% | 17.9% | Chattanooga + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 20.2% | Chattanooga + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chattanooga
$322,291
Kansas City
$202,558
Kansas City +
Homeownership Rate
Chattanooga
53.1%
Kansas City
60.4%
Kansas City +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $322,291 | $202,558 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 60.4% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
639
Kansas City
449
Kansas City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
2350
Kansas City
2174
Kansas City +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 449 | Kansas City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2174 | Kansas City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
36.3%
Chattanooga +
Kansas City
41.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
13.9%
Chattanooga +
Kansas City
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chattanooga
19.2%
Kansas City
17.6%
Kansas City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
12.7%
Chattanooga +
Kansas City
18.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
14.2%
Chattanooga +
Kansas City
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
16.7%
Chattanooga +
Kansas City
18.3%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 41.2% | Chattanooga + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 14.6% | Chattanooga + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 17.6% | Kansas City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 18.4% | Chattanooga + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 15.3% | Chattanooga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 18.3% | Chattanooga + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Kansas City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
52.5 in
Kansas City
38.1 in
Kansas City +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5 in | 38.1 in | Kansas City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
8.9 µg/m³
Kansas City
8.2 µg/m³
Kansas City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chattanooga
75.0%
Kansas City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Kansas City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chattanooga
20.3 min
Chattanooga +
Kansas City
23.7 min
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 23.7 min | Chattanooga + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chattanooga leads in median household income at $61,028, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $202,558. On public safety, Kansas City is safer with a violent crime rate of 449 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Chattanooga. Chattanooga has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Kansas City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chattanooga scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.3%.
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