Chattanooga TN vs Kansas City MO — 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, MO
Missouri · Population: 508,233
- Median HH Income$67,449
- Median Home Price$253,319
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chattanooga
182,832
Kansas City
508,233
Kansas City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chattanooga
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
Median Age
Chattanooga
36.6
Kansas City
35.7
Kansas City +
Foreign Born
Chattanooga
7.7%
Kansas City
8.5%
Kansas City +
White
Chattanooga
58.4%
Chattanooga +
Kansas City
57.8%
Black
Chattanooga
28.6%
Chattanooga +
Kansas City
25.8%
Asian
Chattanooga
2.4%
Kansas City
2.7%
Kansas City +
Hispanic
Chattanooga
9.3%
Kansas City
12.3%
Kansas City +
Spanish at Home
Chattanooga
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 508,233 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 35.7 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 8.5% | Kansas City + |
| White | 58.4% | 57.8% | Chattanooga + |
| Black | 28.6% | 25.8% | Chattanooga + |
| Asian | 2.4% | 2.7% | Kansas City + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 12.3% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chattanooga
$61,028
Kansas City
$67,449
Kansas City +
Per Capita Income
Chattanooga
$40,040
Kansas City
$40,112
Kansas City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chattanooga
$59,097
Chattanooga +
Kansas City
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Chattanooga
4.9%
Kansas City
4.7%
Kansas City +
Poverty Rate
Chattanooga
17.6%
Kansas City
14.6%
Kansas City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chattanooga
35.5%
Kansas City
37.8%
Kansas City +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,028 | $67,449 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,040 | $40,112 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $58,527 | Chattanooga + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.7% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.6% | 14.6% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 37.8% | Kansas City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chattanooga
$322,291
Kansas City
$253,319
Kansas City +
Homeownership Rate
Chattanooga
53.1%
Kansas City
54.6%
Kansas City +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $322,291 | $253,319 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 54.6% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
639
Kansas City
501
Kansas City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
2350
Chattanooga +
Kansas City
2418
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 501 | Kansas City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2418 | Chattanooga + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
36.3%
Chattanooga +
Kansas City
38.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
13.9%
Kansas City
12.0%
Kansas City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chattanooga
19.2%
Kansas City
18.8%
Kansas City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
12.7%
Kansas City
10.6%
Kansas City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
14.2%
Chattanooga +
Kansas City
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
16.7%
Kansas City
15.6%
Kansas City +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 38.5% | Chattanooga + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 12.0% | Kansas City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 18.8% | Kansas City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 10.6% | Kansas City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 16.7% | Chattanooga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.6% | Kansas City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Kansas City
54.6°F
Kansas City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
52.5 in
Kansas City
38.9 in
Kansas City +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 54.6°F | Kansas City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5 in | 38.9 in | Kansas City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
8.9 µg/m³
Chattanooga +
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chattanooga
75.0%
Chattanooga +
Kansas City
55.0%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Chattanooga + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Chattanooga + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chattanooga
20.3 min
Chattanooga +
Kansas City
23.4 min
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 23.4 min | Chattanooga + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kansas City leads in median household income at $67,449, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $253,319. On public safety, Kansas City is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Chattanooga. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, 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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