Chattanooga TN vs Peoria IL — 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%
Peoria, IL
Illinois · Population: 11,626
- Median HH Income$83,102
- Median Home Price$132,671
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+27.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chattanooga
182,832
Chattanooga +
Peoria
11,626
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chattanooga
N/A
Peoria
N/A
Median Age
Chattanooga
36.6
Peoria
33.1
Peoria +
Foreign Born
Chattanooga
7.7%
Peoria
12.6%
Peoria +
White
Chattanooga
58.4%
Peoria
59.6%
Peoria +
Black
Chattanooga
28.6%
Chattanooga +
Peoria
4.7%
Asian
Chattanooga
2.4%
Chattanooga +
Peoria
1.6%
Hispanic
Chattanooga
9.3%
Peoria
37.0%
Peoria +
Spanish at Home
Chattanooga
N/A
Peoria
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 11,626 | Chattanooga + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 33.1 | Peoria + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 12.6% | Peoria + |
| White | 58.4% | 59.6% | Peoria + |
| Black | 28.6% | 4.7% | Chattanooga + |
| Asian | 2.4% | 1.6% | Chattanooga + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 37.0% | Peoria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chattanooga
$61,028
Peoria
$83,102
Peoria +
Per Capita Income
Chattanooga
$40,040
Chattanooga +
Peoria
$33,805
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chattanooga
$59,097
Peoria
$68,110
Peoria +
Unemployment Rate
Chattanooga
4.9%
Peoria
4.8%
Peoria +
Poverty Rate
Chattanooga
17.6%
Peoria
8.2%
Peoria +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chattanooga
35.5%
Chattanooga +
Peoria
27.6%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,028 | $83,102 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,040 | $33,805 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $68,110 | Peoria + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.8% | Peoria + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.6% | 8.2% | Peoria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 27.6% | Chattanooga + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chattanooga
$322,291
Peoria
$132,671
Peoria +
Homeownership Rate
Chattanooga
53.1%
Peoria
73.5%
Peoria +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $322,291 | $132,671 | Peoria + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 73.5% | Peoria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
639
Peoria
344
Peoria +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
2350
Peoria
1842
Peoria +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 344 | Peoria + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1842 | Peoria + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
36.3%
Peoria
36.2%
Peoria +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
13.9%
Peoria
13.5%
Peoria +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chattanooga
19.2%
Peoria
17.8%
Peoria +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
12.7%
Peoria
9.3%
Peoria +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
14.2%
Chattanooga +
Peoria
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
16.7%
Peoria
15.1%
Peoria +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 36.2% | Peoria + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 13.5% | Peoria + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 17.8% | Peoria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 9.3% | Peoria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 16.2% | Chattanooga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.1% | Peoria + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Peoria
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
52.5 in
Peoria
38.0 in
Peoria +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5 in | 38.0 in | Peoria + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
8.9 µg/m³
Chattanooga +
Peoria
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chattanooga
75.0%
Chattanooga +
Peoria
55.0%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Chattanooga + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Chattanooga + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chattanooga
20.3 min
Chattanooga +
Peoria
34.4 min
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 34.4 min | Chattanooga + |
Which City is Right for You?
Peoria leads in median household income at $83,102, while peoria offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $132,671. On public safety, Peoria is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Chattanooga. Peoria has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Chattanooga has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Peoria scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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