Chattanooga TN vs Raleigh NC — 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%
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chattanooga
182,832
Raleigh
470,763
Raleigh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chattanooga
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
Median Age
Chattanooga
36.6
Raleigh
34.7
Raleigh +
Foreign Born
Chattanooga
7.7%
Raleigh
13.6%
Raleigh +
White
Chattanooga
58.4%
Chattanooga +
Raleigh
53.8%
Black
Chattanooga
28.6%
Chattanooga +
Raleigh
27.5%
Asian
Chattanooga
2.4%
Raleigh
4.7%
Raleigh +
Hispanic
Chattanooga
9.3%
Raleigh
12.7%
Raleigh +
Spanish at Home
Chattanooga
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 470,763 | Raleigh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 34.7 | Raleigh + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 13.6% | Raleigh + |
| White | 58.4% | 53.8% | Chattanooga + |
| Black | 28.6% | 27.5% | Chattanooga + |
| Asian | 2.4% | 4.7% | Raleigh + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 12.7% | Raleigh + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chattanooga
$61,028
Raleigh
$82,424
Raleigh +
Per Capita Income
Chattanooga
$40,040
Raleigh
$49,948
Raleigh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chattanooga
$59,097
Raleigh
$59,120
Raleigh +
Unemployment Rate
Chattanooga
4.9%
Raleigh
4.5%
Raleigh +
Poverty Rate
Chattanooga
17.6%
Raleigh
11.4%
Raleigh +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chattanooga
35.5%
Raleigh
52.9%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,028 | $82,424 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,040 | $49,948 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $59,120 | Raleigh + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.5% | Raleigh + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.6% | 11.4% | Raleigh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 52.9% | Raleigh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chattanooga
$322,291
Chattanooga +
Raleigh
$435,807
Homeownership Rate
Chattanooga
53.1%
Chattanooga +
Raleigh
51.2%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $322,291 | $435,807 | Chattanooga + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 51.2% | Chattanooga + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
639
Raleigh
398
Raleigh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
2350
Raleigh
1999
Raleigh +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 398 | Raleigh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1999 | Raleigh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
36.3%
Raleigh
30.9%
Raleigh +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
13.9%
Raleigh
9.1%
Raleigh +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chattanooga
19.2%
Raleigh
16.6%
Raleigh +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
12.7%
Raleigh
9.7%
Raleigh +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
14.2%
Chattanooga +
Raleigh
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
16.7%
Raleigh
10.5%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 30.9% | Raleigh + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 9.1% | Raleigh + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 16.6% | Raleigh + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 9.7% | Raleigh + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 15.3% | Chattanooga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 10.5% | Raleigh + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Chattanooga +
Raleigh
61.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
52.5 in
Raleigh
46.2 in
Raleigh +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 61.1°F | Chattanooga + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5 in | 46.2 in | Raleigh + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
8.9 µg/m³
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Raleigh +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chattanooga
75.0%
Raleigh
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Raleigh + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chattanooga
20.3 min
Chattanooga +
Raleigh
25.1 min
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 25.1 min | Chattanooga + |
Which City is Right for You?
Raleigh leads in median household income at $82,424, while chattanooga offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $322,291. On public safety, Raleigh is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Chattanooga. Raleigh has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Raleigh has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Raleigh scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.9%.
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