Chattanooga TN vs St. Charles 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%
St. Charles, MO
Missouri · Population: 71,542
- Median HH Income$55,578
- Median Home Price$144,200
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+22.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chattanooga
182,832
Chattanooga +
St. Charles
71,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chattanooga
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
Median Age
Chattanooga
36.6
Chattanooga +
St. Charles
37.9
Foreign Born
Chattanooga
7.7%
Chattanooga +
St. Charles
4.2%
White
Chattanooga
58.4%
St. Charles
80.4%
St. Charles +
Black
Chattanooga
28.6%
Chattanooga +
St. Charles
6.7%
Asian
Chattanooga
2.4%
Chattanooga +
St. Charles
1.4%
Hispanic
Chattanooga
9.3%
Chattanooga +
St. Charles
7.7%
Spanish at Home
Chattanooga
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 71,542 | Chattanooga + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 37.9 | Chattanooga + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 4.2% | Chattanooga + |
| White | 58.4% | 80.4% | St. Charles + |
| Black | 28.6% | 6.7% | Chattanooga + |
| Asian | 2.4% | 1.4% | Chattanooga + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 7.7% | Chattanooga + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chattanooga
$61,028
Chattanooga +
St. Charles
$55,578
Per Capita Income
Chattanooga
$40,040
Chattanooga +
St. Charles
$31,499
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chattanooga
$59,097
Chattanooga +
St. Charles
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Chattanooga
4.9%
St. Charles
4.7%
St. Charles +
Poverty Rate
Chattanooga
17.6%
Chattanooga +
St. Charles
18.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chattanooga
35.5%
Chattanooga +
St. Charles
22.7%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,028 | $55,578 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,040 | $31,499 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $58,527 | Chattanooga + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.7% | St. Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.6% | 18.7% | Chattanooga + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 22.7% | Chattanooga + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chattanooga
$322,291
St. Charles
$144,200
St. Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Chattanooga
53.1%
St. Charles
61.4%
St. Charles +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $322,291 | $144,200 | St. Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 61.4% | St. Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
639
St. Charles
501
St. Charles +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
2350
Chattanooga +
St. Charles
2418
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 501 | St. Charles + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2418 | Chattanooga + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
36.3%
St. Charles
35.9%
St. Charles +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
13.9%
St. Charles
10.4%
St. Charles +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chattanooga
19.2%
St. Charles
16.0%
St. Charles +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
12.7%
St. Charles
7.1%
St. Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
14.2%
Chattanooga +
St. Charles
18.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
16.7%
St. Charles
12.5%
St. Charles +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 35.9% | St. Charles + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 10.4% | St. Charles + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 16.0% | St. Charles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 7.1% | St. Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 18.4% | Chattanooga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 12.5% | St. Charles + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
60.9°F
St. Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
52.5 in
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | St. Charles, MO | 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
Chattanooga +
St. Charles
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chattanooga
75.0%
Chattanooga +
St. Charles
55.0%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | St. Charles, 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
St. Charles
18.3 min
St. Charles +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 18.3 min | St. Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chattanooga leads in median household income at $61,028, while st. Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $144,200. On public safety, St. Charles is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Chattanooga. St. Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Chattanooga has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, St. Charles scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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