Chattanooga TN vs Newark NJ — 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%
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chattanooga
182,832
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chattanooga
N/A
Newark
N/A
Median Age
Chattanooga
36.6
Newark
34.8
Newark +
Foreign Born
Chattanooga
7.7%
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
White
Chattanooga
58.4%
Chattanooga +
Newark
16.5%
Black
Chattanooga
28.6%
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Asian
Chattanooga
2.4%
Chattanooga +
Newark
1.9%
Hispanic
Chattanooga
9.3%
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Spanish at Home
Chattanooga
N/A
Newark
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 307,188 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 34.8 | Newark + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 34.9% | Newark + |
| White | 58.4% | 16.5% | Chattanooga + |
| Black | 28.6% | 46.7% | Newark + |
| Asian | 2.4% | 1.9% | Chattanooga + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 37.2% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chattanooga
$61,028
Chattanooga +
Newark
$48,416
Per Capita Income
Chattanooga
$40,040
Chattanooga +
Newark
$25,509
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chattanooga
$59,097
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Unemployment Rate
Chattanooga
4.9%
Chattanooga +
Newark
10.9%
Poverty Rate
Chattanooga
17.6%
Chattanooga +
Newark
24.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chattanooga
35.5%
Chattanooga +
Newark
17.4%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,028 | $48,416 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,040 | $25,509 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $77,416 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 10.9% | Chattanooga + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.6% | 24.7% | Chattanooga + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 17.4% | Chattanooga + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chattanooga
$322,291
Chattanooga +
Newark
$482,675
Homeownership Rate
Chattanooga
53.1%
Chattanooga +
Newark
24.1%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $322,291 | $482,675 | Chattanooga + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 24.1% | Chattanooga + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
639
Newark
218
Newark +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
2350
Newark
1426
Newark +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 218 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1426 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
36.3%
Newark
35.9%
Newark +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
13.9%
Chattanooga +
Newark
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chattanooga
19.2%
Chattanooga +
Newark
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
12.7%
Chattanooga +
Newark
23.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
14.2%
Chattanooga +
Newark
14.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
16.7%
Chattanooga +
Newark
18.2%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 35.9% | Newark + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 14.6% | Chattanooga + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 20.0% | Chattanooga + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 23.4% | Chattanooga + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 14.3% | Chattanooga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 18.2% | Chattanooga + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Newark
54.9°F
Newark +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
52.5 in
Newark
46.3 in
Newark +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 54.9°F | Newark + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5 in | 46.3 in | Newark + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
8.9 µg/m³
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Newark +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chattanooga
75.0%
Newark
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Newark + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chattanooga
20.3 min
Chattanooga +
Newark
35.9 min
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 35.9 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, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Chattanooga. Chattanooga has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Newark has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Newark scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
Compare More Cities
Chattanooga, TN vs New York, NYChattanooga, TN vs Los Angeles, CAChattanooga, TN vs Chicago, ILChattanooga, TN vs Houston, TXChattanooga, TN vs Phoenix, AZChattanooga, TN vs Philadelphia, PA