Chattanooga TN vs Shreveport LA — 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%
Shreveport, LA
Louisiana · Population: 183,483
- Median HH Income$48,465
- Median Home Price$146,463
- Unemployment8.9%
- Bachelor's+27.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chattanooga
182,832
Shreveport
183,483
Shreveport +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chattanooga
N/A
Shreveport
N/A
Median Age
Chattanooga
36.6
Chattanooga +
Shreveport
37.5
Foreign Born
Chattanooga
7.7%
Chattanooga +
Shreveport
2.6%
White
Chattanooga
58.4%
Chattanooga +
Shreveport
36.5%
Black
Chattanooga
28.6%
Shreveport
56.1%
Shreveport +
Asian
Chattanooga
2.4%
Chattanooga +
Shreveport
1.5%
Hispanic
Chattanooga
9.3%
Chattanooga +
Shreveport
3.9%
Spanish at Home
Chattanooga
N/A
Shreveport
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 183,483 | Shreveport + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 37.5 | Chattanooga + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 2.6% | Chattanooga + |
| White | 58.4% | 36.5% | Chattanooga + |
| Black | 28.6% | 56.1% | Shreveport + |
| Asian | 2.4% | 1.5% | Chattanooga + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 3.9% | Chattanooga + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chattanooga
$61,028
Chattanooga +
Shreveport
$48,465
Per Capita Income
Chattanooga
$40,040
Chattanooga +
Shreveport
$33,788
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chattanooga
$59,097
Chattanooga +
Shreveport
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Chattanooga
4.9%
Chattanooga +
Shreveport
8.9%
Poverty Rate
Chattanooga
17.6%
Chattanooga +
Shreveport
23.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chattanooga
35.5%
Chattanooga +
Shreveport
27.5%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,028 | $48,465 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,040 | $33,788 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $55,297 | Chattanooga + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 8.9% | Chattanooga + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.6% | 23.6% | Chattanooga + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 27.5% | Chattanooga + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chattanooga
$322,291
Shreveport
$146,463
Shreveport +
Homeownership Rate
Chattanooga
53.1%
Shreveport
53.8%
Shreveport +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $322,291 | $146,463 | Shreveport + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 53.8% | Shreveport + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
639
Chattanooga +
Shreveport
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
2350
Chattanooga +
Shreveport
2824
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 643 | Chattanooga + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2824 | Chattanooga + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
36.3%
Chattanooga +
Shreveport
43.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
13.9%
Chattanooga +
Shreveport
17.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chattanooga
19.2%
Chattanooga +
Shreveport
20.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
12.7%
Shreveport
9.6%
Shreveport +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
14.2%
Chattanooga +
Shreveport
14.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
16.7%
Chattanooga +
Shreveport
19.1%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 43.1% | Chattanooga + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 17.6% | Chattanooga + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 20.1% | Chattanooga + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 9.6% | Shreveport + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 14.5% | Chattanooga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 19.1% | Chattanooga + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Shreveport
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
52.5 in
Chattanooga +
Shreveport
52.7 in
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5 in | 52.7 in | Chattanooga + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
8.9 µg/m³
Shreveport
8.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chattanooga
75.0%
Shreveport
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chattanooga
20.3 min
Chattanooga +
Shreveport
20.5 min
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 20.5 min | Chattanooga + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chattanooga leads in median household income at $61,028, while shreveport offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $146,463. On public safety, Chattanooga is safer with a violent crime rate of 639 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Shreveport. Chattanooga has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Shreveport 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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