Chattanooga TN vs Lakeland FL — 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%
Lakeland, FL
Florida · Population: 82,506
- Median HH Income$60,465
- Median Home Price$312,001
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+26.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chattanooga
182,832
Chattanooga +
Lakeland
82,506
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chattanooga
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
Median Age
Chattanooga
36.6
Chattanooga +
Lakeland
48.4
Foreign Born
Chattanooga
7.7%
Lakeland
12.9%
Lakeland +
White
Chattanooga
58.4%
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
Black
Chattanooga
28.6%
Chattanooga +
Lakeland
8.8%
Asian
Chattanooga
2.4%
Lakeland
3.7%
Lakeland +
Hispanic
Chattanooga
9.3%
Lakeland
14.4%
Lakeland +
Spanish at Home
Chattanooga
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 82,506 | Chattanooga + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 48.4 | Chattanooga + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 12.9% | Lakeland + |
| White | 58.4% | 74.1% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 28.6% | 8.8% | Chattanooga + |
| Asian | 2.4% | 3.7% | Lakeland + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 14.4% | Lakeland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chattanooga
$61,028
Chattanooga +
Lakeland
$60,465
Per Capita Income
Chattanooga
$40,040
Chattanooga +
Lakeland
$36,322
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chattanooga
$59,097
Lakeland
$65,328
Lakeland +
Unemployment Rate
Chattanooga
4.9%
Lakeland
4.3%
Lakeland +
Poverty Rate
Chattanooga
17.6%
Lakeland
12.0%
Lakeland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chattanooga
35.5%
Chattanooga +
Lakeland
26.8%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,028 | $60,465 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,040 | $36,322 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $65,328 | Lakeland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.3% | Lakeland + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.6% | 12.0% | Lakeland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 26.8% | Chattanooga + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chattanooga
$322,291
Lakeland
$312,001
Lakeland +
Homeownership Rate
Chattanooga
53.1%
Lakeland
61.1%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $322,291 | $312,001 | Lakeland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 61.1% | Lakeland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
639
Lakeland
324
Lakeland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
2350
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 324 | Lakeland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1453 | Lakeland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
36.3%
Chattanooga +
Lakeland
38.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
13.9%
Lakeland
13.3%
Lakeland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chattanooga
19.2%
Lakeland
18.3%
Lakeland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
12.7%
Chattanooga +
Lakeland
16.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
14.2%
Chattanooga +
Lakeland
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
16.7%
Lakeland
14.1%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 38.9% | Chattanooga + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 13.3% | Lakeland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 18.3% | Lakeland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 16.4% | Chattanooga + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 14.9% | Chattanooga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.1% | Lakeland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Chattanooga +
Lakeland
72.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
52.5 in
Chattanooga +
Lakeland
54.8 in
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 72.6°F | Chattanooga + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5 in | 54.8 in | Chattanooga + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
8.9 µg/m³
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Lakeland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chattanooga
75.0%
Lakeland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lakeland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chattanooga
20.3 min
Chattanooga +
Lakeland
25.6 min
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 25.6 min | Chattanooga + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chattanooga leads in median household income at $61,028, while lakeland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $312,001. On public safety, Lakeland is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Chattanooga. Lakeland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Lakeland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chattanooga scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.3%.
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