Chattanooga TN vs Springfield MO — 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%
Springfield, MO
Missouri · Population: 169,432
- Median HH Income$45,984
- Median Home Price$245,279
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+30.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chattanooga
182,832
Chattanooga +
Springfield
169,432
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chattanooga
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Chattanooga
36.6
Springfield
33.6
Springfield +
Foreign Born
Chattanooga
7.7%
Chattanooga +
Springfield
3.8%
White
Chattanooga
58.4%
Springfield
85.2%
Springfield +
Black
Chattanooga
28.6%
Chattanooga +
Springfield
4.3%
Asian
Chattanooga
2.4%
Chattanooga +
Springfield
1.7%
Hispanic
Chattanooga
9.3%
Chattanooga +
Springfield
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Chattanooga
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 169,432 | Chattanooga + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 33.6 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 3.8% | Chattanooga + |
| White | 58.4% | 85.2% | Springfield + |
| Black | 28.6% | 4.3% | Chattanooga + |
| Asian | 2.4% | 1.7% | Chattanooga + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 5.6% | Chattanooga + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chattanooga
$61,028
Chattanooga +
Springfield
$45,984
Per Capita Income
Chattanooga
$40,040
Chattanooga +
Springfield
$30,864
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chattanooga
$59,097
Chattanooga +
Springfield
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Chattanooga
4.9%
Springfield
4.3%
Springfield +
Poverty Rate
Chattanooga
17.6%
Chattanooga +
Springfield
19.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chattanooga
35.5%
Chattanooga +
Springfield
30.3%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,028 | $45,984 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,040 | $30,864 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $58,527 | Chattanooga + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.3% | Springfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.6% | 19.4% | Chattanooga + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 30.3% | Chattanooga + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chattanooga
$322,291
Springfield
$245,279
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
Chattanooga
53.1%
Chattanooga +
Springfield
42.9%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $322,291 | $245,279 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 42.9% | Chattanooga + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
639
Springfield
501
Springfield +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
2350
Chattanooga +
Springfield
2418
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 501 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2418 | Chattanooga + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
36.3%
Chattanooga +
Springfield
37.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
13.9%
Springfield
11.1%
Springfield +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chattanooga
19.2%
Chattanooga +
Springfield
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
12.7%
Springfield
10.0%
Springfield +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
14.2%
Chattanooga +
Springfield
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
16.7%
Chattanooga +
Springfield
17.1%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 37.7% | Chattanooga + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 11.1% | Springfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 20.0% | Chattanooga + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 10.0% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 15.6% | Chattanooga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 17.1% | Chattanooga + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Springfield
56.3°F
Springfield +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
52.5 in
Springfield
45.6 in
Springfield +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 56.3°F | Springfield + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5 in | 45.6 in | Springfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
8.9 µg/m³
Chattanooga +
Springfield
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chattanooga
75.0%
Chattanooga +
Springfield
55.0%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Chattanooga + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Chattanooga + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chattanooga
20.3 min
Springfield
19.5 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 19.5 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chattanooga leads in median household income at $61,028, while springfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,279. On public safety, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Chattanooga. Springfield has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, 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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