Chattanooga TN vs Little Rock AR — 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%
Little Rock, AR
Arkansas · Population: 202,739
- Median HH Income$60,583
- Median Home Price$216,863
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+44.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chattanooga
182,832
Little Rock
202,739
Little Rock +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chattanooga
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
Median Age
Chattanooga
36.6
Little Rock
36.4
Little Rock +
Foreign Born
Chattanooga
7.7%
Little Rock
7.9%
Little Rock +
White
Chattanooga
58.4%
Chattanooga +
Little Rock
46.4%
Black
Chattanooga
28.6%
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Asian
Chattanooga
2.4%
Little Rock
3.0%
Little Rock +
Hispanic
Chattanooga
9.3%
Little Rock
10.4%
Little Rock +
Spanish at Home
Chattanooga
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 202,739 | Little Rock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 36.4 | Little Rock + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 7.9% | Little Rock + |
| White | 58.4% | 46.4% | Chattanooga + |
| Black | 28.6% | 39.4% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 2.4% | 3.0% | Little Rock + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 10.4% | Little Rock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chattanooga
$61,028
Chattanooga +
Little Rock
$60,583
Per Capita Income
Chattanooga
$40,040
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chattanooga
$59,097
Chattanooga +
Little Rock
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Chattanooga
4.9%
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Poverty Rate
Chattanooga
17.6%
Little Rock
16.4%
Little Rock +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chattanooga
35.5%
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,028 | $60,583 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,040 | $43,242 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $53,714 | Chattanooga + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.2% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.6% | 16.4% | Little Rock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 44.0% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chattanooga
$322,291
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Homeownership Rate
Chattanooga
53.1%
Little Rock
54.2%
Little Rock +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $322,291 | $216,863 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 54.2% | Little Rock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
639
Chattanooga +
Little Rock
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
2350
Chattanooga +
Little Rock
2507
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 660 | Chattanooga + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2507 | Chattanooga + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
36.3%
Chattanooga +
Little Rock
40.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
13.9%
Little Rock
13.1%
Little Rock +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chattanooga
19.2%
Little Rock
17.5%
Little Rock +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
12.7%
Little Rock
11.4%
Little Rock +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
14.2%
Chattanooga +
Little Rock
14.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
16.7%
Little Rock
13.3%
Little Rock +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 40.5% | Chattanooga + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 13.1% | Little Rock + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 17.5% | Little Rock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 11.4% | Little Rock + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 14.3% | Chattanooga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 13.3% | Little Rock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Chattanooga +
Little Rock
62.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
52.5 in
Little Rock
50.0 in
Little Rock +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 62.7°F | Chattanooga + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5 in | 50.0 in | Little Rock + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
8.9 µg/m³
Chattanooga +
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chattanooga
75.0%
Chattanooga +
Little Rock
55.0%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Chattanooga + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Chattanooga + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chattanooga
20.3 min
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 20.0 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chattanooga leads in median household income at $61,028, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Chattanooga is safer with a violent crime rate of 639 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Little Rock. Little Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, 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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