Chattanooga TN vs Lowell MA — 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%
Lowell, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 114,799
- Median HH Income$76,205
- Median Home Price$484,226
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chattanooga
182,832
Chattanooga +
Lowell
114,799
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chattanooga
N/A
Lowell
N/A
Median Age
Chattanooga
36.6
Lowell
35.5
Lowell +
Foreign Born
Chattanooga
7.7%
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
White
Chattanooga
58.4%
Chattanooga +
Lowell
50.9%
Black
Chattanooga
28.6%
Chattanooga +
Lowell
10.8%
Asian
Chattanooga
2.4%
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Hispanic
Chattanooga
9.3%
Lowell
19.3%
Lowell +
Spanish at Home
Chattanooga
N/A
Lowell
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 114,799 | Chattanooga + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 35.5 | Lowell + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 29.5% | Lowell + |
| White | 58.4% | 50.9% | Chattanooga + |
| Black | 28.6% | 10.8% | Chattanooga + |
| Asian | 2.4% | 21.1% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 19.3% | Lowell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chattanooga
$61,028
Lowell
$76,205
Lowell +
Per Capita Income
Chattanooga
$40,040
Chattanooga +
Lowell
$36,138
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chattanooga
$59,097
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Unemployment Rate
Chattanooga
4.9%
Chattanooga +
Lowell
5.4%
Poverty Rate
Chattanooga
17.6%
Lowell
16.0%
Lowell +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chattanooga
35.5%
Chattanooga +
Lowell
29.9%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,028 | $76,205 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,040 | $36,138 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $85,405 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.4% | Chattanooga + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.6% | 16.0% | Lowell + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 29.9% | Chattanooga + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chattanooga
$322,291
Chattanooga +
Lowell
$484,226
Homeownership Rate
Chattanooga
53.1%
Chattanooga +
Lowell
44.0%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $322,291 | $484,226 | Chattanooga + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 44.0% | Chattanooga + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
639
Lowell
326
Lowell +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
2350
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 326 | Lowell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1086 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
36.3%
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
13.9%
Lowell
10.9%
Lowell +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chattanooga
19.2%
Lowell
18.5%
Lowell +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
12.7%
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
14.2%
Chattanooga +
Lowell
15.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
16.7%
Lowell
14.1%
Lowell +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 27.2% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 10.9% | Lowell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 18.5% | Lowell + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 8.2% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 15.1% | Chattanooga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.1% | Lowell + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Lowell
48.5°F
Lowell +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
52.5 in
Lowell
47.0 in
Lowell +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 48.5°F | Lowell + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5 in | 47.0 in | Lowell + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
8.9 µg/m³
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chattanooga
75.0%
Lowell
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lowell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chattanooga
20.3 min
Chattanooga +
Lowell
30.1 min
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 30.1 min | Chattanooga + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lowell leads in median household income at $76,205, while chattanooga offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $322,291. On public safety, Lowell is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Chattanooga. Chattanooga has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Lowell has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lowell scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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