Chattanooga TN vs Sandy UT — 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%
Sandy, UT
Utah · Population: 94,723
- Median HH Income$111,242
- Median Home Price$672,082
- Unemployment2.5%
- Bachelor's+45.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chattanooga
182,832
Chattanooga +
Sandy
94,723
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chattanooga
N/A
Sandy
N/A
Median Age
Chattanooga
36.6
Chattanooga +
Sandy
36.9
Foreign Born
Chattanooga
7.7%
Sandy
10.3%
Sandy +
White
Chattanooga
58.4%
Sandy
81.8%
Sandy +
Black
Chattanooga
28.6%
Chattanooga +
Sandy
0.8%
Asian
Chattanooga
2.4%
Sandy
3.5%
Sandy +
Hispanic
Chattanooga
9.3%
Sandy
11.3%
Sandy +
Spanish at Home
Chattanooga
N/A
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 94,723 | Chattanooga + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 36.9 | Chattanooga + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 10.3% | Sandy + |
| White | 58.4% | 81.8% | Sandy + |
| Black | 28.6% | 0.8% | Chattanooga + |
| Asian | 2.4% | 3.5% | Sandy + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 11.3% | Sandy + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chattanooga
$61,028
Sandy
$111,242
Sandy +
Per Capita Income
Chattanooga
$40,040
Sandy
$50,592
Sandy +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chattanooga
$59,097
Sandy
$60,713
Sandy +
Unemployment Rate
Chattanooga
4.9%
Sandy
2.5%
Sandy +
Poverty Rate
Chattanooga
17.6%
Sandy
5.5%
Sandy +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chattanooga
35.5%
Sandy
45.7%
Sandy +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,028 | $111,242 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,040 | $50,592 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $60,713 | Sandy + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 2.5% | Sandy + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.6% | 5.5% | Sandy + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 45.7% | Sandy + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chattanooga
$322,291
Chattanooga +
Sandy
$672,082
Homeownership Rate
Chattanooga
53.1%
Sandy
75.9%
Sandy +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $322,291 | $672,082 | Chattanooga + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 75.9% | Sandy + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
639
Sandy
245
Sandy +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
2350
Sandy
1931
Sandy +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 245 | Sandy + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1931 | Sandy + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
36.3%
Sandy
28.5%
Sandy +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
13.9%
Sandy
8.4%
Sandy +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chattanooga
19.2%
Sandy
16.5%
Sandy +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
12.7%
Sandy
8.7%
Sandy +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
14.2%
Chattanooga +
Sandy
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
16.7%
Sandy
7.4%
Sandy +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 28.5% | Sandy + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 8.4% | Sandy + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 16.5% | Sandy + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 8.7% | Sandy + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 15.2% | Chattanooga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 7.4% | Sandy + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Sandy
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
52.5 in
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Sandy, UT | 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
Sandy
7.0 µg/m³
Sandy +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chattanooga
75.0%
Sandy
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Sandy + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chattanooga
20.3 min
Chattanooga +
Sandy
24.6 min
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 24.6 min | Chattanooga + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy leads in median household income at $111,242, while chattanooga offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $322,291. On public safety, Sandy is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Chattanooga. Sandy has a lower unemployment rate at 2.5%, and Sandy has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sandy scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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