Chattanooga TN vs Knoxville TN — 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%
Knoxville, TN
Tennessee · Population: 193,721
- Median HH Income$50,994
- Median Home Price$371,202
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+33.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chattanooga
182,832
Knoxville
193,721
Knoxville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chattanooga
N/A
Knoxville
N/A
Median Age
Chattanooga
36.6
Knoxville
33.3
Knoxville +
Foreign Born
Chattanooga
7.7%
Chattanooga +
Knoxville
7.0%
White
Chattanooga
58.4%
Knoxville
72.2%
Knoxville +
Black
Chattanooga
28.6%
Chattanooga +
Knoxville
15.7%
Asian
Chattanooga
2.4%
Chattanooga +
Knoxville
1.6%
Hispanic
Chattanooga
9.3%
Chattanooga +
Knoxville
7.5%
Spanish at Home
Chattanooga
N/A
Knoxville
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 193,721 | Knoxville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 33.3 | Knoxville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 7.0% | Chattanooga + |
| White | 58.4% | 72.2% | Knoxville + |
| Black | 28.6% | 15.7% | Chattanooga + |
| Asian | 2.4% | 1.6% | Chattanooga + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 7.5% | Chattanooga + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chattanooga
$61,028
Chattanooga +
Knoxville
$50,994
Per Capita Income
Chattanooga
$40,040
Chattanooga +
Knoxville
$33,171
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chattanooga
$59,097
Knoxville
$59,097
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Chattanooga
4.9%
Knoxville
4.4%
Knoxville +
Poverty Rate
Chattanooga
17.6%
Chattanooga +
Knoxville
20.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chattanooga
35.5%
Chattanooga +
Knoxville
33.7%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,028 | $50,994 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,040 | $33,171 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $59,097 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.4% | Knoxville + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.6% | 20.5% | Chattanooga + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 33.7% | Chattanooga + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chattanooga
$322,291
Chattanooga +
Knoxville
$371,202
Homeownership Rate
Chattanooga
53.1%
Chattanooga +
Knoxville
46.6%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $322,291 | $371,202 | Chattanooga + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 46.6% | Chattanooga + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
639
Knoxville
639
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
2350
Knoxville
2350
Tie
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 639 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2350 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
36.3%
Knoxville
36.0%
Knoxville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
13.9%
Knoxville
12.6%
Knoxville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chattanooga
19.2%
Chattanooga +
Knoxville
22.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
12.7%
Chattanooga +
Knoxville
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
14.2%
Chattanooga +
Knoxville
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
16.7%
Chattanooga +
Knoxville
17.8%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 36.0% | Knoxville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 12.6% | Knoxville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 22.0% | Chattanooga + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 12.9% | Chattanooga + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 15.8% | Chattanooga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 17.8% | Chattanooga + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Knoxville
57.8°F
Knoxville +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
52.5 in
Knoxville
51.9 in
Knoxville +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 57.8°F | Knoxville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5 in | 51.9 in | Knoxville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
8.9 µg/m³
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chattanooga
75.0%
Knoxville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chattanooga
20.3 min
Chattanooga +
Knoxville
22.0 min
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 22.0 min | Chattanooga + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chattanooga leads in median household income at $61,028, while chattanooga offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $322,291. On public safety, Knoxville is safer with a violent crime rate of 639 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Chattanooga. Knoxville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Knoxville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Knoxville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.0%.
Compare More Cities
Chattanooga, TN vs New York, NYChattanooga, TN vs Los Angeles, CAChattanooga, TN vs Chicago, ILChattanooga, TN vs Houston, TXChattanooga, TN vs Phoenix, AZChattanooga, TN vs Philadelphia, PA