Chattanooga TN vs Madison WI — 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%
Madison, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 275,568
- Median HH Income$76,983
- Median Home Price$429,253
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chattanooga
182,832
Madison
275,568
Madison +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chattanooga
N/A
Madison
N/A
Median Age
Chattanooga
36.6
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Foreign Born
Chattanooga
7.7%
Madison
11.6%
Madison +
White
Chattanooga
58.4%
Madison
73.0%
Madison +
Black
Chattanooga
28.6%
Chattanooga +
Madison
7.1%
Asian
Chattanooga
2.4%
Madison
8.0%
Madison +
Hispanic
Chattanooga
9.3%
Madison
9.3%
Madison +
Spanish at Home
Chattanooga
N/A
Madison
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 275,568 | Madison + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 31.8 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 11.6% | Madison + |
| White | 58.4% | 73.0% | Madison + |
| Black | 28.6% | 7.1% | Chattanooga + |
| Asian | 2.4% | 8.0% | Madison + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 9.3% | Madison + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chattanooga
$61,028
Madison
$76,983
Madison +
Per Capita Income
Chattanooga
$40,040
Madison
$48,557
Madison +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chattanooga
$59,097
Madison
$61,837
Madison +
Unemployment Rate
Chattanooga
4.9%
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Poverty Rate
Chattanooga
17.6%
Madison
16.2%
Madison +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chattanooga
35.5%
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,028 | $76,983 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,040 | $48,557 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $61,837 | Madison + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 2.7% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.6% | 16.2% | Madison + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 59.2% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chattanooga
$322,291
Chattanooga +
Madison
$429,253
Homeownership Rate
Chattanooga
53.1%
Chattanooga +
Madison
46.6%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $322,291 | $429,253 | Chattanooga + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 46.6% | Chattanooga + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
639
Madison
309
Madison +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
2350
Madison
1392
Madison +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 309 | Madison + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1392 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
36.3%
Madison
32.7%
Madison +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
13.9%
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chattanooga
19.2%
Madison
16.5%
Madison +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
12.7%
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
14.2%
Chattanooga +
Madison
20.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
16.7%
Madison
10.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 32.7% | Madison + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 7.4% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 16.5% | Madison + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 7.9% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 20.8% | Chattanooga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 10.2% | Madison + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Madison
46.7°F
Madison +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
52.5 in
Madison
37.3 in
Madison +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 46.7°F | Madison + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5 in | 37.3 in | Madison + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
8.9 µg/m³
Chattanooga +
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chattanooga
75.0%
Chattanooga +
Madison
55.0%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Chattanooga + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Chattanooga + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chattanooga
20.3 min
Chattanooga +
Madison
21.2 min
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 21.2 min | Chattanooga + |
Which City is Right for You?
Madison leads in median household income at $76,983, while chattanooga offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $322,291. On public safety, Madison is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Chattanooga. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Chattanooga has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Madison scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.7%.
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