Chattanooga TN vs Reno NV — 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%
Reno, NV
Nevada · Population: 268,959
- Median HH Income$78,448
- Median Home Price$570,934
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chattanooga
182,832
Reno
268,959
Reno +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chattanooga
N/A
Reno
N/A
Median Age
Chattanooga
36.6
Chattanooga +
Reno
37.3
Foreign Born
Chattanooga
7.7%
Reno
16.1%
Reno +
White
Chattanooga
58.4%
Reno
63.5%
Reno +
Black
Chattanooga
28.6%
Chattanooga +
Reno
3.2%
Asian
Chattanooga
2.4%
Reno
7.0%
Reno +
Hispanic
Chattanooga
9.3%
Reno
24.6%
Reno +
Spanish at Home
Chattanooga
N/A
Reno
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 268,959 | Reno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 37.3 | Chattanooga + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 16.1% | Reno + |
| White | 58.4% | 63.5% | Reno + |
| Black | 28.6% | 3.2% | Chattanooga + |
| Asian | 2.4% | 7.0% | Reno + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 24.6% | Reno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chattanooga
$61,028
Reno
$78,448
Reno +
Per Capita Income
Chattanooga
$40,040
Reno
$45,180
Reno +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chattanooga
$59,097
Reno
$62,696
Reno +
Unemployment Rate
Chattanooga
4.9%
Chattanooga +
Reno
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Chattanooga
17.6%
Reno
12.5%
Reno +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chattanooga
35.5%
Reno
35.7%
Reno +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,028 | $78,448 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,040 | $45,180 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $62,696 | Reno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.0% | Chattanooga + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.6% | 12.5% | Reno + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 35.7% | Reno + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chattanooga
$322,291
Chattanooga +
Reno
$570,934
Homeownership Rate
Chattanooga
53.1%
Chattanooga +
Reno
49.4%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $322,291 | $570,934 | Chattanooga + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 49.4% | Chattanooga + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
639
Reno
460
Reno +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
2350
Chattanooga +
Reno
2417
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 460 | Reno + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2417 | Chattanooga + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
36.3%
Reno
28.4%
Reno +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
13.9%
Reno
9.5%
Reno +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chattanooga
19.2%
Reno
18.5%
Reno +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
12.7%
Chattanooga +
Reno
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
14.2%
Chattanooga +
Reno
18.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
16.7%
Reno
12.8%
Reno +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 28.4% | Reno + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 9.5% | Reno + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 18.5% | Reno + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 13.0% | Chattanooga + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 18.9% | Chattanooga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 12.8% | Reno + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Reno
53.0°F
Reno +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
52.5 in
Reno
8.3 in
Reno +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 53.0°F | Reno + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5 in | 8.3 in | Reno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
8.9 µg/m³
Reno
5.2 µg/m³
Reno +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chattanooga
75.0%
Reno
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Reno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chattanooga
20.3 min
Chattanooga +
Reno
22.3 min
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 22.3 min | Chattanooga + |
Which City is Right for You?
Reno leads in median household income at $78,448, while chattanooga offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $322,291. On public safety, Reno is safer with a violent crime rate of 460 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Chattanooga. Chattanooga has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Reno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Reno scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.
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