Chattanooga TN vs Schenectady NY — 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%
Schenectady, NY
New York · Population: 28,542
- Median HH Income$100,485
- Median Home Price$321,835
- Unemployment2.3%
- Bachelor's+58.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chattanooga
182,832
Chattanooga +
Schenectady
28,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chattanooga
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Median Age
Chattanooga
36.6
Chattanooga +
Schenectady
42.3
Foreign Born
Chattanooga
7.7%
Chattanooga +
Schenectady
6.8%
White
Chattanooga
58.4%
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Black
Chattanooga
28.6%
Chattanooga +
Schenectady
3.1%
Asian
Chattanooga
2.4%
Schenectady
3.0%
Schenectady +
Hispanic
Chattanooga
9.3%
Chattanooga +
Schenectady
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Chattanooga
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 28,542 | Chattanooga + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 42.3 | Chattanooga + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 6.8% | Chattanooga + |
| White | 58.4% | 86.7% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 28.6% | 3.1% | Chattanooga + |
| Asian | 2.4% | 3.0% | Schenectady + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 4.7% | Chattanooga + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chattanooga
$61,028
Schenectady
$100,485
Schenectady +
Per Capita Income
Chattanooga
$40,040
Schenectady
$62,931
Schenectady +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chattanooga
$59,097
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Unemployment Rate
Chattanooga
4.9%
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Poverty Rate
Chattanooga
17.6%
Schenectady
10.3%
Schenectady +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chattanooga
35.5%
Schenectady
58.8%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,028 | $100,485 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,040 | $62,931 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $77,425 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 2.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.6% | 10.3% | Schenectady + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 58.8% | Schenectady + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chattanooga
$322,291
Schenectady
$321,835
Schenectady +
Homeownership Rate
Chattanooga
53.1%
Schenectady
57.5%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $322,291 | $321,835 | Schenectady + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 57.5% | Schenectady + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
639
Schenectady
434
Schenectady +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
2350
Schenectady
1736
Schenectady +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 434 | Schenectady + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1736 | Schenectady + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
36.3%
Chattanooga +
Schenectady
38.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
13.9%
Schenectady
12.3%
Schenectady +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chattanooga
19.2%
Schenectady
19.2%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
12.7%
Schenectady
9.7%
Schenectady +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
14.2%
Chattanooga +
Schenectady
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
16.7%
Chattanooga +
Schenectady
16.9%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 38.6% | Chattanooga + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 12.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 19.2% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 9.7% | Schenectady + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 15.2% | Chattanooga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.9% | Chattanooga + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Schenectady
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
52.5 in
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Schenectady, NY | 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
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Schenectady +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chattanooga
75.0%
Schenectady
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Schenectady + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chattanooga
20.3 min
Chattanooga +
Schenectady
26.2 min
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 26.2 min | Chattanooga + |
Which City is Right for You?
Schenectady leads in median household income at $100,485, while schenectady offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $321,835. On public safety, Schenectady is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Chattanooga. Schenectady has a lower unemployment rate at 2.3%, and Schenectady 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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