Chattanooga TN vs New York NY — 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%
New York, NY
New York · Population: 8,516,202
- Median HH Income$79,713
- Median Home Price$816,078
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+41.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chattanooga
182,832
New York
8,516,202
New York +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chattanooga
N/A
New York
N/A
Median Age
Chattanooga
36.6
Chattanooga +
New York
38.0
Foreign Born
Chattanooga
7.7%
New York
36.5%
New York +
White
Chattanooga
58.4%
Chattanooga +
New York
35.9%
Black
Chattanooga
28.6%
Chattanooga +
New York
22.7%
Asian
Chattanooga
2.4%
New York
14.6%
New York +
Hispanic
Chattanooga
9.3%
New York
28.4%
New York +
Spanish at Home
Chattanooga
N/A
New York
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 8,516,202 | New York + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 38.0 | Chattanooga + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 36.5% | New York + |
| White | 58.4% | 35.9% | Chattanooga + |
| Black | 28.6% | 22.7% | Chattanooga + |
| Asian | 2.4% | 14.6% | New York + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 28.4% | New York + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chattanooga
$61,028
New York
$79,713
New York +
Per Capita Income
Chattanooga
$40,040
New York
$50,776
New York +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chattanooga
$59,097
New York
$77,425
New York +
Unemployment Rate
Chattanooga
4.9%
Chattanooga +
New York
7.7%
Poverty Rate
Chattanooga
17.6%
New York
17.4%
New York +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chattanooga
35.5%
New York
41.0%
New York +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,028 | $79,713 | New York + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,040 | $50,776 | New York + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $77,425 | New York + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 7.7% | Chattanooga + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.6% | 17.4% | New York + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 41.0% | New York + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chattanooga
$322,291
Chattanooga +
New York
$816,078
Homeownership Rate
Chattanooga
53.1%
Chattanooga +
New York
32.8%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $322,291 | $816,078 | Chattanooga + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 32.8% | Chattanooga + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
639
New York
434
New York +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
2350
New York
1736
New York +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 434 | New York + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1736 | New York + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
36.3%
New York
25.1%
New York +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
13.9%
New York
11.9%
New York +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chattanooga
19.2%
New York
15.4%
New York +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
12.7%
New York
10.6%
New York +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
14.2%
Chattanooga +
New York
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
16.7%
New York
11.4%
New York +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 25.1% | New York + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 11.9% | New York + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 15.4% | New York + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 10.6% | New York + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 16.9% | Chattanooga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 11.4% | New York + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
60.9°F
New York
55.4°F
New York +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
52.5 in
New York
46.6 in
New York +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 55.4°F | New York + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5 in | 46.6 in | New York + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
8.9 µg/m³
New York
8.1 µg/m³
New York +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chattanooga
75.0%
New York
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | New York + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chattanooga
20.3 min
Chattanooga +
New York
44.2 min
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 44.2 min | Chattanooga + |
Which City is Right for You?
New York leads in median household income at $79,713, while chattanooga offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $322,291. On public safety, New York is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Chattanooga. Chattanooga has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and New York has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New York scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.1%.
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