Chattanooga TN vs Lynn 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%
Lynn, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 100,905
- Median HH Income$74,715
- Median Home Price$584,482
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+23.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chattanooga
182,832
Chattanooga +
Lynn
100,905
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chattanooga
N/A
Lynn
N/A
Median Age
Chattanooga
36.6
Chattanooga +
Lynn
36.8
Foreign Born
Chattanooga
7.7%
Lynn
35.7%
Lynn +
White
Chattanooga
58.4%
Chattanooga +
Lynn
44.6%
Black
Chattanooga
28.6%
Chattanooga +
Lynn
12.1%
Asian
Chattanooga
2.4%
Lynn
6.0%
Lynn +
Hispanic
Chattanooga
9.3%
Lynn
42.5%
Lynn +
Spanish at Home
Chattanooga
N/A
Lynn
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 100,905 | Chattanooga + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 36.8 | Chattanooga + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 35.7% | Lynn + |
| White | 58.4% | 44.6% | Chattanooga + |
| Black | 28.6% | 12.1% | Chattanooga + |
| Asian | 2.4% | 6.0% | Lynn + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 42.5% | Lynn + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chattanooga
$61,028
Lynn
$74,715
Lynn +
Per Capita Income
Chattanooga
$40,040
Chattanooga +
Lynn
$35,083
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chattanooga
$59,097
Lynn
$85,405
Lynn +
Unemployment Rate
Chattanooga
4.9%
Lynn
4.6%
Lynn +
Poverty Rate
Chattanooga
17.6%
Lynn
13.7%
Lynn +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chattanooga
35.5%
Chattanooga +
Lynn
23.3%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,028 | $74,715 | Lynn + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,040 | $35,083 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $85,405 | Lynn + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.6% | Lynn + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.6% | 13.7% | Lynn + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 23.3% | Chattanooga + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chattanooga
$322,291
Chattanooga +
Lynn
$584,482
Homeownership Rate
Chattanooga
53.1%
Chattanooga +
Lynn
50.4%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $322,291 | $584,482 | Chattanooga + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 50.4% | Chattanooga + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
639
Lynn
326
Lynn +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
2350
Lynn
1086
Lynn +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 326 | Lynn + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1086 | Lynn + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
36.3%
Lynn
33.8%
Lynn +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
13.9%
Lynn
12.3%
Lynn +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chattanooga
19.2%
Lynn
17.6%
Lynn +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
12.7%
Lynn
11.8%
Lynn +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
14.2%
Chattanooga +
Lynn
14.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
16.7%
Lynn
14.6%
Lynn +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 33.8% | Lynn + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 12.3% | Lynn + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 17.6% | Lynn + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 11.8% | Lynn + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 14.8% | Chattanooga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.6% | Lynn + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Lynn
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
52.5 in
Lynn
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
8.9 µg/m³
Lynn
7.2 µg/m³
Lynn +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chattanooga
75.0%
Lynn
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lynn + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chattanooga
20.3 min
Chattanooga +
Lynn
33.8 min
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 33.8 min | Chattanooga + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lynn leads in median household income at $74,715, while chattanooga offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $322,291. On public safety, Lynn is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Chattanooga. Lynn has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Lynn has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lynn scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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