Chattanooga TN vs Salem OR — 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%
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chattanooga
182,832
Chattanooga +
Salem
176,666
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chattanooga
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Chattanooga
36.6
Salem
35.7
Salem +
Foreign Born
Chattanooga
7.7%
Salem
12.2%
Salem +
White
Chattanooga
58.4%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
Chattanooga
28.6%
Chattanooga +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Chattanooga
2.4%
Salem
3.5%
Salem +
Hispanic
Chattanooga
9.3%
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Spanish at Home
Chattanooga
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 176,666 | Chattanooga + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 35.7 | Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 12.2% | Salem + |
| White | 58.4% | 69.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 28.6% | 1.6% | Chattanooga + |
| Asian | 2.4% | 3.5% | Salem + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 23.4% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chattanooga
$61,028
Salem
$71,900
Salem +
Per Capita Income
Chattanooga
$40,040
Chattanooga +
Salem
$36,477
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chattanooga
$59,097
Salem
$63,691
Salem +
Unemployment Rate
Chattanooga
4.9%
Chattanooga +
Salem
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Chattanooga
17.6%
Salem
14.7%
Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chattanooga
35.5%
Chattanooga +
Salem
31.4%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,028 | $71,900 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,040 | $36,477 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $63,691 | Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.3% | Chattanooga + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.6% | 14.7% | Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 31.4% | Chattanooga + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chattanooga
$322,291
Chattanooga +
Salem
$438,754
Homeownership Rate
Chattanooga
53.1%
Salem
55.7%
Salem +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $322,291 | $438,754 | Chattanooga + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 55.7% | Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
639
Salem
355
Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
2350
Chattanooga +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 355 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 3001 | Chattanooga + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
36.3%
Chattanooga +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
13.9%
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chattanooga
19.2%
Salem
18.8%
Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
12.7%
Salem
11.6%
Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
14.2%
Chattanooga +
Salem
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
16.7%
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 41.4% | Chattanooga + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 11.7% | Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 18.8% | Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 11.6% | Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 16.2% | Chattanooga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 12.4% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Salem
53.0°F
Salem +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
52.5 in
Salem
39.7 in
Salem +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 53.0°F | Salem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5 in | 39.7 in | Salem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
8.9 µg/m³
Chattanooga +
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chattanooga
75.0%
Chattanooga +
Salem
55.0%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Chattanooga + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Chattanooga + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chattanooga
20.3 min
Chattanooga +
Salem
24.5 min
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 24.5 min | Chattanooga + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salem leads in median household income at $71,900, while chattanooga offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $322,291. On public safety, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Chattanooga. Chattanooga has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Chattanooga has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chattanooga scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.3%.
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