Chattanooga TN vs Surprise AZ — 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%
Surprise, AZ
Arizona · Population: 149,519
- Median HH Income$93,371
- Median Home Price$422,520
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+31.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chattanooga
182,832
Chattanooga +
Surprise
149,519
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chattanooga
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Median Age
Chattanooga
36.6
Chattanooga +
Surprise
41.6
Foreign Born
Chattanooga
7.7%
Chattanooga +
Surprise
6.8%
White
Chattanooga
58.4%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
Black
Chattanooga
28.6%
Chattanooga +
Surprise
4.8%
Asian
Chattanooga
2.4%
Surprise
2.6%
Surprise +
Hispanic
Chattanooga
9.3%
Surprise
19.2%
Surprise +
Spanish at Home
Chattanooga
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 149,519 | Chattanooga + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 41.6 | Chattanooga + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 6.8% | Chattanooga + |
| White | 58.4% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
| Black | 28.6% | 4.8% | Chattanooga + |
| Asian | 2.4% | 2.6% | Surprise + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 19.2% | Surprise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chattanooga
$61,028
Surprise
$93,371
Surprise +
Per Capita Income
Chattanooga
$40,040
Chattanooga +
Surprise
$39,604
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chattanooga
$59,097
Surprise
$59,120
Surprise +
Unemployment Rate
Chattanooga
4.9%
Surprise
4.2%
Surprise +
Poverty Rate
Chattanooga
17.6%
Surprise
7.8%
Surprise +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chattanooga
35.5%
Chattanooga +
Surprise
31.0%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,028 | $93,371 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,040 | $39,604 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $59,120 | Surprise + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.2% | Surprise + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.6% | 7.8% | Surprise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 31.0% | Chattanooga + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chattanooga
$322,291
Chattanooga +
Surprise
$422,520
Homeownership Rate
Chattanooga
53.1%
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $322,291 | $422,520 | Chattanooga + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 79.0% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
639
Surprise
450
Surprise +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
2350
Surprise
2150
Surprise +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 450 | Surprise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2150 | Surprise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
36.3%
Surprise
29.4%
Surprise +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
13.9%
Surprise
11.2%
Surprise +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chattanooga
19.2%
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
12.7%
Surprise
10.5%
Surprise +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
14.2%
Chattanooga +
Surprise
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
16.7%
Surprise
10.4%
Surprise +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 29.4% | Surprise + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 11.2% | Surprise + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 14.2% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 10.5% | Surprise + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 14.9% | Chattanooga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 10.4% | Surprise + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Surprise
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
52.5 in
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Surprise, AZ | 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
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chattanooga
75.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Surprise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chattanooga
20.3 min
Chattanooga +
Surprise
32.8 min
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 32.8 min | Chattanooga + |
Which City is Right for You?
Surprise leads in median household income at $93,371, while chattanooga offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $322,291. On public safety, Surprise is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Chattanooga. Surprise has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Surprise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Surprise scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.4%.
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