Chattanooga TN vs Phoenix 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%
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chattanooga
182,832
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chattanooga
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
Median Age
Chattanooga
36.6
Phoenix
34.8
Phoenix +
Foreign Born
Chattanooga
7.7%
Phoenix
19.0%
Phoenix +
White
Chattanooga
58.4%
Chattanooga +
Phoenix
53.7%
Black
Chattanooga
28.6%
Chattanooga +
Phoenix
7.8%
Asian
Chattanooga
2.4%
Phoenix
3.9%
Phoenix +
Hispanic
Chattanooga
9.3%
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Spanish at Home
Chattanooga
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 1,624,832 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 34.8 | Phoenix + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 19.0% | Phoenix + |
| White | 58.4% | 53.7% | Chattanooga + |
| Black | 28.6% | 7.8% | Chattanooga + |
| Asian | 2.4% | 3.9% | Phoenix + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 41.8% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chattanooga
$61,028
Phoenix
$77,041
Phoenix +
Per Capita Income
Chattanooga
$40,040
Phoenix
$40,309
Phoenix +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chattanooga
$59,097
Phoenix
$59,120
Phoenix +
Unemployment Rate
Chattanooga
4.9%
Chattanooga +
Phoenix
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Chattanooga
17.6%
Phoenix
14.3%
Phoenix +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chattanooga
35.5%
Chattanooga +
Phoenix
32.3%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,028 | $77,041 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,040 | $40,309 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $59,120 | Phoenix + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.1% | Chattanooga + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.6% | 14.3% | Phoenix + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 32.3% | Chattanooga + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chattanooga
$322,291
Chattanooga +
Phoenix
$411,323
Homeownership Rate
Chattanooga
53.1%
Phoenix
57.1%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $322,291 | $411,323 | Chattanooga + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 57.1% | Phoenix + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
639
Phoenix
450
Phoenix +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
2350
Phoenix
2150
Phoenix +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 450 | Phoenix + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2150 | Phoenix + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
36.3%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
13.9%
Phoenix
10.8%
Phoenix +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chattanooga
19.2%
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
12.7%
Chattanooga +
Phoenix
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
14.2%
Chattanooga +
Phoenix
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
16.7%
Phoenix
12.2%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 10.8% | Phoenix + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 16.2% | Phoenix + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 17.3% | Chattanooga + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 16.3% | Chattanooga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 12.2% | Phoenix + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Chattanooga +
Phoenix
72.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
52.5 in
Phoenix
10.8 in
Phoenix +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 72.1°F | Chattanooga + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5 in | 10.8 in | Phoenix + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
8.9 µg/m³
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chattanooga
75.0%
Phoenix
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chattanooga
20.3 min
Chattanooga +
Phoenix
27.7 min
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 27.7 min | Chattanooga + |
Which City is Right for You?
Phoenix leads in median household income at $77,041, while chattanooga offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $322,291. On public safety, Phoenix is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Chattanooga. Chattanooga has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Phoenix scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.3%.
Compare More Cities
Chattanooga, TN vs New York, NYChattanooga, TN vs Los Angeles, CAChattanooga, TN vs Chicago, ILChattanooga, TN vs Houston, TXChattanooga, TN vs Philadelphia, PAChattanooga, TN vs San Antonio, TX