Chattanooga TN vs Meridian ID — 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%
Meridian, ID
Idaho · Population: 124,865
- Median HH Income$98,686
- Median Home Price$534,732
- Unemployment2.4%
- Bachelor's+44.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chattanooga
182,832
Chattanooga +
Meridian
124,865
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chattanooga
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Median Age
Chattanooga
36.6
Chattanooga +
Meridian
37.4
Foreign Born
Chattanooga
7.7%
Chattanooga +
Meridian
4.8%
White
Chattanooga
58.4%
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
Black
Chattanooga
28.6%
Chattanooga +
Meridian
1.6%
Asian
Chattanooga
2.4%
Chattanooga +
Meridian
2.1%
Hispanic
Chattanooga
9.3%
Meridian
9.5%
Meridian +
Spanish at Home
Chattanooga
N/A
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 124,865 | Chattanooga + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 37.4 | Chattanooga + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 4.8% | Chattanooga + |
| White | 58.4% | 84.3% | Meridian + |
| Black | 28.6% | 1.6% | Chattanooga + |
| Asian | 2.4% | 2.1% | Chattanooga + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 9.5% | Meridian + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chattanooga
$61,028
Meridian
$98,686
Meridian +
Per Capita Income
Chattanooga
$40,040
Meridian
$47,751
Meridian +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chattanooga
$59,097
Chattanooga +
Meridian
$57,074
Unemployment Rate
Chattanooga
4.9%
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Poverty Rate
Chattanooga
17.6%
Meridian
6.2%
Meridian +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chattanooga
35.5%
Meridian
44.4%
Meridian +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,028 | $98,686 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,040 | $47,751 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $57,074 | Chattanooga + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 2.4% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.6% | 6.2% | Meridian + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 44.4% | Meridian + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chattanooga
$322,291
Chattanooga +
Meridian
$534,732
Homeownership Rate
Chattanooga
53.1%
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $322,291 | $534,732 | Chattanooga + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 76.1% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
639
Meridian
251
Meridian +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
2350
Meridian
958
Meridian +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 251 | Meridian + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 958 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
36.3%
Meridian
28.8%
Meridian +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
13.9%
Meridian
8.4%
Meridian +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chattanooga
19.2%
Meridian
15.5%
Meridian +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
12.7%
Meridian
8.2%
Meridian +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
14.2%
Chattanooga +
Meridian
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
16.7%
Meridian
10.3%
Meridian +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 28.8% | Meridian + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 8.4% | Meridian + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 15.5% | Meridian + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 8.2% | Meridian + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 17.6% | Chattanooga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 10.3% | Meridian + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Meridian
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
52.5 in
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Meridian, ID | 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
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Meridian +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chattanooga
75.0%
Meridian
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Meridian + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chattanooga
20.3 min
Chattanooga +
Meridian
23.6 min
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 23.6 min | Chattanooga + |
Which City is Right for You?
Meridian leads in median household income at $98,686, while chattanooga offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $322,291. On public safety, Meridian is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Chattanooga. Meridian has a lower unemployment rate at 2.4%, and Meridian has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Meridian scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.8%.
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