Chattanooga TN vs Macon GA — 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%
Macon, GA
Georgia · Population: 61,773
- Median HH Income$70,086
- Median Home Price$171,916
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+46.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chattanooga
182,832
Chattanooga +
Macon
61,773
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chattanooga
N/A
Macon
N/A
Median Age
Chattanooga
36.6
Macon
35.2
Macon +
Foreign Born
Chattanooga
7.7%
Macon
18.3%
Macon +
White
Chattanooga
58.4%
Chattanooga +
Macon
43.7%
Black
Chattanooga
28.6%
Macon
30.4%
Macon +
Asian
Chattanooga
2.4%
Chattanooga +
Macon
2.0%
Hispanic
Chattanooga
9.3%
Macon
19.8%
Macon +
Spanish at Home
Chattanooga
N/A
Macon
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 61,773 | Chattanooga + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 35.2 | Macon + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 18.3% | Macon + |
| White | 58.4% | 43.7% | Chattanooga + |
| Black | 28.6% | 30.4% | Macon + |
| Asian | 2.4% | 2.0% | Chattanooga + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 19.8% | Macon + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chattanooga
$61,028
Macon
$70,086
Macon +
Per Capita Income
Chattanooga
$40,040
Macon
$43,074
Macon +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chattanooga
$59,097
Chattanooga +
Macon
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Chattanooga
4.9%
Macon
3.9%
Macon +
Poverty Rate
Chattanooga
17.6%
Macon
12.7%
Macon +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chattanooga
35.5%
Macon
46.8%
Macon +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,028 | $70,086 | Macon + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,040 | $43,074 | Macon + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $57,405 | Chattanooga + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 3.9% | Macon + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.6% | 12.7% | Macon + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 46.8% | Macon + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chattanooga
$322,291
Macon
$171,916
Macon +
Homeownership Rate
Chattanooga
53.1%
Chattanooga +
Macon
47.2%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $322,291 | $171,916 | Macon + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 47.2% | Chattanooga + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
639
Macon
392
Macon +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
2350
Macon
1752
Macon +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 392 | Macon + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1752 | Macon + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
36.3%
Macon
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
13.9%
Macon
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chattanooga
19.2%
Macon
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
12.7%
Macon
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
14.2%
Macon
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
16.7%
Macon
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Macon, GA | 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
Chattanooga +
Macon
64.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
52.5 in
Macon
45.7 in
Macon +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 64.6°F | Chattanooga + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5 in | 45.7 in | Macon + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
8.9 µg/m³
Chattanooga +
Macon
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chattanooga
75.0%
Chattanooga +
Macon
55.0%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Chattanooga + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Chattanooga + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chattanooga
20.3 min
Chattanooga +
Macon
30.2 min
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 30.2 min | Chattanooga + |
Which City is Right for You?
Macon leads in median household income at $70,086, while macon offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $171,916. On public safety, Macon is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Chattanooga. Macon has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Chattanooga has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³).
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