Chattanooga TN vs Mesa AZ — 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%
Mesa, AZ
Arizona · Population: 507,478
- Median HH Income$78,779
- Median Home Price$435,670
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chattanooga
182,832
Mesa
507,478
Mesa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chattanooga
N/A
Mesa
N/A
Median Age
Chattanooga
36.6
Chattanooga +
Mesa
37.2
Foreign Born
Chattanooga
7.7%
Mesa
11.2%
Mesa +
White
Chattanooga
58.4%
Mesa
69.7%
Mesa +
Black
Chattanooga
28.6%
Chattanooga +
Mesa
4.4%
Asian
Chattanooga
2.4%
Mesa
2.5%
Mesa +
Hispanic
Chattanooga
9.3%
Mesa
26.6%
Mesa +
Spanish at Home
Chattanooga
N/A
Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 507,478 | Mesa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 37.2 | Chattanooga + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 11.2% | Mesa + |
| White | 58.4% | 69.7% | Mesa + |
| Black | 28.6% | 4.4% | Chattanooga + |
| Asian | 2.4% | 2.5% | Mesa + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 26.6% | Mesa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chattanooga
$61,028
Mesa
$78,779
Mesa +
Per Capita Income
Chattanooga
$40,040
Chattanooga +
Mesa
$39,586
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chattanooga
$59,097
Mesa
$59,120
Mesa +
Unemployment Rate
Chattanooga
4.9%
Mesa
4.6%
Mesa +
Poverty Rate
Chattanooga
17.6%
Mesa
10.5%
Mesa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chattanooga
35.5%
Chattanooga +
Mesa
31.5%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,028 | $78,779 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,040 | $39,586 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $59,120 | Mesa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.6% | Mesa + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.6% | 10.5% | Mesa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 31.5% | Chattanooga + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chattanooga
$322,291
Chattanooga +
Mesa
$435,670
Homeownership Rate
Chattanooga
53.1%
Mesa
64.3%
Mesa +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $322,291 | $435,670 | Chattanooga + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 64.3% | Mesa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
639
Mesa
450
Mesa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
2350
Mesa
2150
Mesa +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 450 | Mesa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2150 | Mesa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
36.3%
Mesa
30.7%
Mesa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
13.9%
Mesa
10.6%
Mesa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chattanooga
19.2%
Mesa
15.5%
Mesa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
12.7%
Chattanooga +
Mesa
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
14.2%
Chattanooga +
Mesa
16.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
16.7%
Mesa
11.4%
Mesa +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 30.7% | Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 10.6% | Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 15.5% | Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 13.0% | Chattanooga + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 16.1% | Chattanooga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 11.4% | Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Chattanooga +
Mesa
71.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
52.5 in
Mesa
11.7 in
Mesa +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 71.8°F | Chattanooga + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5 in | 11.7 in | Mesa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
8.9 µg/m³
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Mesa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chattanooga
75.0%
Mesa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chattanooga
20.3 min
Chattanooga +
Mesa
26.7 min
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 26.7 min | Chattanooga + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mesa leads in median household income at $78,779, while chattanooga offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $322,291. On public safety, Mesa is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Chattanooga. Mesa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Mesa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Mesa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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