Chattanooga TN vs Saint Paul 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%
Saint Paul, MN
Minnesota · Population: 307,762
- Median HH Income$73,055
- Median Home Price$297,021
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+43.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chattanooga
182,832
Saint Paul
307,762
Saint Paul +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chattanooga
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
Median Age
Chattanooga
36.6
Saint Paul
33.5
Saint Paul +
Foreign Born
Chattanooga
7.7%
Saint Paul
18.7%
Saint Paul +
White
Chattanooga
58.4%
Chattanooga +
Saint Paul
53.2%
Black
Chattanooga
28.6%
Chattanooga +
Saint Paul
16.2%
Asian
Chattanooga
2.4%
Saint Paul
17.9%
Saint Paul +
Hispanic
Chattanooga
9.3%
Chattanooga +
Saint Paul
9.1%
Spanish at Home
Chattanooga
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 307,762 | Saint Paul + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 33.5 | Saint Paul + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 18.7% | Saint Paul + |
| White | 58.4% | 53.2% | Chattanooga + |
| Black | 28.6% | 16.2% | Chattanooga + |
| Asian | 2.4% | 17.9% | Saint Paul + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 9.1% | Chattanooga + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chattanooga
$61,028
Saint Paul
$73,055
Saint Paul +
Per Capita Income
Chattanooga
$40,040
Saint Paul
$41,594
Saint Paul +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chattanooga
$59,097
Saint Paul
$69,467
Saint Paul +
Unemployment Rate
Chattanooga
4.9%
Chattanooga +
Saint Paul
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Chattanooga
17.6%
Saint Paul
15.8%
Saint Paul +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chattanooga
35.5%
Saint Paul
43.5%
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,028 | $73,055 | Saint Paul + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,040 | $41,594 | Saint Paul + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $69,467 | Saint Paul + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.9% | Chattanooga + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.6% | 15.8% | Saint Paul + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 43.5% | Saint Paul + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chattanooga
$322,291
Saint Paul
$297,021
Saint Paul +
Homeownership Rate
Chattanooga
53.1%
Saint Paul
53.2%
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $322,291 | $297,021 | Saint Paul + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 53.2% | Saint Paul + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
639
Saint Paul
284
Saint Paul +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
2350
Saint Paul
1992
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 284 | Saint Paul + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1992 | Saint Paul + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
36.3%
Saint Paul
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
13.9%
Saint Paul
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chattanooga
19.2%
Saint Paul
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
12.7%
Saint Paul
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
14.2%
Saint Paul
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
16.7%
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.7% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Saint Paul
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
52.5 in
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
8.9 µg/m³
Saint Paul
8.1 µg/m³
Saint Paul +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chattanooga
75.0%
Saint Paul
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Saint Paul + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chattanooga
20.3 min
Chattanooga +
Saint Paul
24.1 min
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 24.1 min | Chattanooga + |
Which City is Right for You?
Saint Paul leads in median household income at $73,055, while saint Paul offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $297,021. On public safety, Saint Paul is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Chattanooga. Chattanooga has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Saint Paul has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³).
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