Chattanooga TN vs Memphis TN — 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%
Memphis, TN
Tennessee · Population: 629,063
- Median HH Income$51,211
- Median Home Price$147,306
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+28.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chattanooga
182,832
Memphis
629,063
Memphis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chattanooga
N/A
Memphis
N/A
Median Age
Chattanooga
36.6
Memphis
34.3
Memphis +
Foreign Born
Chattanooga
7.7%
Chattanooga +
Memphis
7.4%
White
Chattanooga
58.4%
Chattanooga +
Memphis
25.0%
Black
Chattanooga
28.6%
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
Asian
Chattanooga
2.4%
Chattanooga +
Memphis
1.7%
Hispanic
Chattanooga
9.3%
Memphis
10.2%
Memphis +
Spanish at Home
Chattanooga
N/A
Memphis
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 629,063 | Memphis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 34.3 | Memphis + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 7.4% | Chattanooga + |
| White | 58.4% | 25.0% | Chattanooga + |
| Black | 28.6% | 62.9% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 2.4% | 1.7% | Chattanooga + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 10.2% | Memphis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chattanooga
$61,028
Chattanooga +
Memphis
$51,211
Per Capita Income
Chattanooga
$40,040
Chattanooga +
Memphis
$32,314
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chattanooga
$59,097
Memphis
$59,097
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Chattanooga
4.9%
Chattanooga +
Memphis
8.3%
Poverty Rate
Chattanooga
17.6%
Chattanooga +
Memphis
22.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chattanooga
35.5%
Chattanooga +
Memphis
28.2%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,028 | $51,211 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,040 | $32,314 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $59,097 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 8.3% | Chattanooga + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.6% | 22.5% | Chattanooga + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 28.2% | Chattanooga + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chattanooga
$322,291
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
Homeownership Rate
Chattanooga
53.1%
Chattanooga +
Memphis
46.0%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $322,291 | $147,306 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 46.0% | Chattanooga + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
639
Memphis
639
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
2350
Memphis
2350
Tie
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 639 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2350 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
36.3%
Chattanooga +
Memphis
42.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
13.9%
Chattanooga +
Memphis
17.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chattanooga
19.2%
Chattanooga +
Memphis
20.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
12.7%
Chattanooga +
Memphis
14.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
14.2%
Memphis
13.5%
Memphis +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
16.7%
Chattanooga +
Memphis
19.9%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 42.1% | Chattanooga + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 17.6% | Chattanooga + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 20.7% | Chattanooga + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 14.9% | Chattanooga + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 13.5% | Memphis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 19.9% | Chattanooga + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Memphis
60.9°F
Tie
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
52.5 in
Chattanooga +
Memphis
54.9 in
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 60.9°F | Tie |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5 in | 54.9 in | Chattanooga + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
8.9 µg/m³
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chattanooga
75.0%
Memphis
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chattanooga
20.3 min
Chattanooga +
Memphis
22.9 min
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 22.9 min | Chattanooga + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chattanooga leads in median household income at $61,028, while memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, Memphis is safer with a violent crime rate of 639 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Chattanooga. Chattanooga has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Memphis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chattanooga scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.3%.
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