Chattanooga TN vs Louisville KY — 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%
Louisville, KY
Kentucky · Population: 627,210
- Median HH Income$64,731
- Median Home Price$264,957
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+33.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chattanooga
182,832
Louisville
627,210
Louisville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chattanooga
N/A
Louisville
N/A
Median Age
Chattanooga
36.6
Chattanooga +
Louisville
37.7
Foreign Born
Chattanooga
7.7%
Louisville
9.8%
Louisville +
White
Chattanooga
58.4%
Louisville
63.1%
Louisville +
Black
Chattanooga
28.6%
Chattanooga +
Louisville
23.7%
Asian
Chattanooga
2.4%
Louisville
2.6%
Louisville +
Hispanic
Chattanooga
9.3%
Chattanooga +
Louisville
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Chattanooga
N/A
Louisville
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 627,210 | Louisville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 37.7 | Chattanooga + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 9.8% | Louisville + |
| White | 58.4% | 63.1% | Louisville + |
| Black | 28.6% | 23.7% | Chattanooga + |
| Asian | 2.4% | 2.6% | Louisville + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 8.6% | Chattanooga + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chattanooga
$61,028
Louisville
$64,731
Louisville +
Per Capita Income
Chattanooga
$40,040
Chattanooga +
Louisville
$38,890
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chattanooga
$59,097
Chattanooga +
Louisville
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Chattanooga
4.9%
Chattanooga +
Louisville
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Chattanooga
17.6%
Louisville
16.1%
Louisville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chattanooga
35.5%
Chattanooga +
Louisville
33.4%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,028 | $64,731 | Louisville + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,040 | $38,890 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $52,606 | Chattanooga + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.0% | Chattanooga + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.6% | 16.1% | Louisville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 33.4% | Chattanooga + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chattanooga
$322,291
Louisville
$264,957
Louisville +
Homeownership Rate
Chattanooga
53.1%
Louisville
60.6%
Louisville +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $322,291 | $264,957 | Louisville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 60.6% | Louisville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
639
Louisville
223
Louisville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
2350
Louisville
1505
Louisville +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 223 | Louisville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1505 | Louisville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
36.3%
Louisville
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
13.9%
Louisville
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chattanooga
19.2%
Louisville
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
12.7%
Louisville
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
14.2%
Louisville
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
16.7%
Louisville
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.7% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Louisville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
52.5 in
Louisville
43.3 in
Louisville +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5 in | 43.3 in | Louisville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
8.9 µg/m³
Louisville
8.6 µg/m³
Louisville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chattanooga
75.0%
Louisville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Louisville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chattanooga
20.3 min
Chattanooga +
Louisville
24.2 min
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 24.2 min | Chattanooga + |
Which City is Right for You?
Louisville leads in median household income at $64,731, while louisville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,957. On public safety, Louisville is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Chattanooga. Chattanooga has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Louisville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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