Chattanooga TN vs Miami FL — 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%
Miami, FL
Florida · Population: 446,663
- Median HH Income$59,390
- Median Home Price$580,996
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chattanooga
182,832
Miami
446,663
Miami +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chattanooga
N/A
Miami
N/A
Median Age
Chattanooga
36.6
Chattanooga +
Miami
39.7
Foreign Born
Chattanooga
7.7%
Miami
57.7%
Miami +
White
Chattanooga
58.4%
Chattanooga +
Miami
34.2%
Black
Chattanooga
28.6%
Chattanooga +
Miami
13.7%
Asian
Chattanooga
2.4%
Chattanooga +
Miami
1.6%
Hispanic
Chattanooga
9.3%
Miami
71.2%
Miami +
Spanish at Home
Chattanooga
N/A
Miami
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 446,663 | Miami + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 39.7 | Chattanooga + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 57.7% | Miami + |
| White | 58.4% | 34.2% | Chattanooga + |
| Black | 28.6% | 13.7% | Chattanooga + |
| Asian | 2.4% | 1.6% | Chattanooga + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 71.2% | Miami + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chattanooga
$61,028
Chattanooga +
Miami
$59,390
Per Capita Income
Chattanooga
$40,040
Miami
$42,528
Miami +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chattanooga
$59,097
Miami
$65,328
Miami +
Unemployment Rate
Chattanooga
4.9%
Chattanooga +
Miami
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Chattanooga
17.6%
Chattanooga +
Miami
19.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chattanooga
35.5%
Miami
35.6%
Miami +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,028 | $59,390 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,040 | $42,528 | Miami + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $65,328 | Miami + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.0% | Chattanooga + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.6% | 19.2% | Chattanooga + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 35.6% | Miami + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chattanooga
$322,291
Chattanooga +
Miami
$580,996
Homeownership Rate
Chattanooga
53.1%
Chattanooga +
Miami
30.7%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $322,291 | $580,996 | Chattanooga + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 30.7% | Chattanooga + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
639
Miami
324
Miami +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
2350
Miami
1453
Miami +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 324 | Miami + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1453 | Miami + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
36.3%
Miami
29.9%
Miami +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
13.9%
Chattanooga +
Miami
15.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chattanooga
19.2%
Miami
15.0%
Miami +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
12.7%
Chattanooga +
Miami
27.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
14.2%
Chattanooga +
Miami
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
16.7%
Miami
12.3%
Miami +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 29.9% | Miami + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 15.5% | Chattanooga + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 15.0% | Miami + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 27.2% | Chattanooga + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 15.3% | Chattanooga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 12.3% | Miami + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Chattanooga +
Miami
75.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
52.5 in
Chattanooga +
Miami
64.1 in
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 75.8°F | Chattanooga + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5 in | 64.1 in | Chattanooga + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
8.9 µg/m³
Miami
7.2 µg/m³
Miami +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chattanooga
75.0%
Miami
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Miami + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chattanooga
20.3 min
Chattanooga +
Miami
29.9 min
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 29.9 min | Chattanooga + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chattanooga leads in median household income at $61,028, while chattanooga offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $322,291. On public safety, Miami is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Chattanooga. Chattanooga has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Miami has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Miami scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.9%.
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