Chattanooga TN vs Roanoke VA — 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%
Roanoke, VA
Virginia · Population: 98,677
- Median HH Income$52,671
- Median Home Price$279,668
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chattanooga
182,832
Chattanooga +
Roanoke
98,677
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chattanooga
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
Median Age
Chattanooga
36.6
Chattanooga +
Roanoke
38.0
Foreign Born
Chattanooga
7.7%
Chattanooga +
Roanoke
7.5%
White
Chattanooga
58.4%
Chattanooga +
Roanoke
57.5%
Black
Chattanooga
28.6%
Roanoke
29.0%
Roanoke +
Asian
Chattanooga
2.4%
Roanoke
3.1%
Roanoke +
Hispanic
Chattanooga
9.3%
Chattanooga +
Roanoke
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Chattanooga
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 98,677 | Chattanooga + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 38.0 | Chattanooga + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 7.5% | Chattanooga + |
| White | 58.4% | 57.5% | Chattanooga + |
| Black | 28.6% | 29.0% | Roanoke + |
| Asian | 2.4% | 3.1% | Roanoke + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 8.6% | Chattanooga + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chattanooga
$61,028
Chattanooga +
Roanoke
$52,671
Per Capita Income
Chattanooga
$40,040
Chattanooga +
Roanoke
$34,792
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chattanooga
$59,097
Roanoke
$69,581
Roanoke +
Unemployment Rate
Chattanooga
4.9%
Chattanooga +
Roanoke
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Chattanooga
17.6%
Chattanooga +
Roanoke
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chattanooga
35.5%
Chattanooga +
Roanoke
28.9%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,028 | $52,671 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,040 | $34,792 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $69,581 | Roanoke + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.5% | Chattanooga + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.6% | 19.7% | Chattanooga + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 28.9% | Chattanooga + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chattanooga
$322,291
Roanoke
$279,668
Roanoke +
Homeownership Rate
Chattanooga
53.1%
Chattanooga +
Roanoke
51.7%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $322,291 | $279,668 | Roanoke + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 51.7% | Chattanooga + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
639
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
2350
Roanoke
1726
Roanoke +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 240 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1726 | Roanoke + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
36.3%
Chattanooga +
Roanoke
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
13.9%
Chattanooga +
Roanoke
14.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chattanooga
19.2%
Roanoke
18.4%
Roanoke +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
12.7%
Roanoke
11.0%
Roanoke +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
14.2%
Chattanooga +
Roanoke
14.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
16.7%
Roanoke
16.7%
Tie
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 41.9% | Chattanooga + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 14.9% | Chattanooga + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 18.4% | Roanoke + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 11.0% | Roanoke + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 14.7% | Chattanooga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.7% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Roanoke
56.0°F
Roanoke +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
52.5 in
Roanoke
44.5 in
Roanoke +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 56.0°F | Roanoke + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5 in | 44.5 in | Roanoke + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
8.9 µg/m³
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Roanoke +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chattanooga
75.0%
Roanoke
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Roanoke + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chattanooga
20.3 min
Chattanooga +
Roanoke
21.6 min
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 21.6 min | Chattanooga + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chattanooga leads in median household income at $61,028, while roanoke offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,668. On public safety, Roanoke is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Chattanooga. Chattanooga has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Roanoke has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chattanooga scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.3%.
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