Chattanooga TN vs Rochester MN — 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%
Rochester, MN
Minnesota · Population: 26,509
- Median HH Income$127,247
- Median Home Price$344,633
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+50.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chattanooga
182,832
Chattanooga +
Rochester
26,509
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chattanooga
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Chattanooga
36.6
Chattanooga +
Rochester
38.7
Foreign Born
Chattanooga
7.7%
Chattanooga +
Rochester
7.1%
White
Chattanooga
58.4%
Rochester
82.9%
Rochester +
Black
Chattanooga
28.6%
Chattanooga +
Rochester
3.6%
Asian
Chattanooga
2.4%
Rochester
5.2%
Rochester +
Hispanic
Chattanooga
9.3%
Chattanooga +
Rochester
3.9%
Spanish at Home
Chattanooga
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 26,509 | Chattanooga + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 38.7 | Chattanooga + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 7.1% | Chattanooga + |
| White | 58.4% | 82.9% | Rochester + |
| Black | 28.6% | 3.6% | Chattanooga + |
| Asian | 2.4% | 5.2% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 3.9% | Chattanooga + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chattanooga
$61,028
Rochester
$127,247
Rochester +
Per Capita Income
Chattanooga
$40,040
Rochester
$57,602
Rochester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chattanooga
$59,097
Rochester
$69,467
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Chattanooga
4.9%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Poverty Rate
Chattanooga
17.6%
Rochester
2.9%
Rochester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chattanooga
35.5%
Rochester
50.3%
Rochester +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,028 | $127,247 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,040 | $57,602 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $69,467 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.6% | 2.9% | Rochester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 50.3% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chattanooga
$322,291
Chattanooga +
Rochester
$344,633
Homeownership Rate
Chattanooga
53.1%
Rochester
86.6%
Rochester +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $322,291 | $344,633 | Chattanooga + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 86.6% | Rochester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
639
Rochester
284
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
2350
Rochester
1992
Rochester +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 284 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1992 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
36.3%
Chattanooga +
Rochester
36.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
13.9%
Rochester
9.2%
Rochester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chattanooga
19.2%
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
12.7%
Rochester
7.1%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
14.2%
Chattanooga +
Rochester
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
16.7%
Rochester
11.4%
Rochester +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 36.4% | Chattanooga + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 9.2% | Rochester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 14.3% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 7.1% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 16.0% | Chattanooga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 11.4% | Rochester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Rochester
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
52.5 in
Rochester
34.0 in
Rochester +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5 in | 34.0 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
8.9 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chattanooga
75.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chattanooga
20.3 min
Chattanooga +
Rochester
28.3 min
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 28.3 min | Chattanooga + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rochester leads in median household income at $127,247, while chattanooga offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $322,291. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Chattanooga. Rochester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chattanooga scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.3%.
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