Chattanooga TN vs Tallahassee FL — 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%
Tallahassee, FL
Florida · Population: 199,696
- Median HH Income$55,931
- Median Home Price$293,664
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+51.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chattanooga
182,832
Tallahassee
199,696
Tallahassee +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chattanooga
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
Median Age
Chattanooga
36.6
Tallahassee
28.0
Tallahassee +
Foreign Born
Chattanooga
7.7%
Tallahassee
8.0%
Tallahassee +
White
Chattanooga
58.4%
Chattanooga +
Tallahassee
50.7%
Black
Chattanooga
28.6%
Tallahassee
35.7%
Tallahassee +
Asian
Chattanooga
2.4%
Tallahassee
4.0%
Tallahassee +
Hispanic
Chattanooga
9.3%
Chattanooga +
Tallahassee
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Chattanooga
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 199,696 | Tallahassee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 28.0 | Tallahassee + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 8.0% | Tallahassee + |
| White | 58.4% | 50.7% | Chattanooga + |
| Black | 28.6% | 35.7% | Tallahassee + |
| Asian | 2.4% | 4.0% | Tallahassee + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 8.6% | Chattanooga + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chattanooga
$61,028
Chattanooga +
Tallahassee
$55,931
Per Capita Income
Chattanooga
$40,040
Chattanooga +
Tallahassee
$35,704
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chattanooga
$59,097
Tallahassee
$65,328
Tallahassee +
Unemployment Rate
Chattanooga
4.9%
Chattanooga +
Tallahassee
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Chattanooga
17.6%
Chattanooga +
Tallahassee
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chattanooga
35.5%
Tallahassee
51.0%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,028 | $55,931 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,040 | $35,704 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $65,328 | Tallahassee + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 6.5% | Chattanooga + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.6% | 23.2% | Chattanooga + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 51.0% | Tallahassee + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chattanooga
$322,291
Tallahassee
$293,664
Tallahassee +
Homeownership Rate
Chattanooga
53.1%
Chattanooga +
Tallahassee
39.5%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $322,291 | $293,664 | Tallahassee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 39.5% | Chattanooga + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
639
Tallahassee
324
Tallahassee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
2350
Tallahassee
1453
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 324 | Tallahassee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1453 | Tallahassee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
36.3%
Tallahassee
34.1%
Tallahassee +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
13.9%
Tallahassee
9.6%
Tallahassee +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chattanooga
19.2%
Chattanooga +
Tallahassee
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
12.7%
Chattanooga +
Tallahassee
13.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
14.2%
Chattanooga +
Tallahassee
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
16.7%
Tallahassee
12.2%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 34.1% | Tallahassee + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 9.6% | Tallahassee + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 20.3% | Chattanooga + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 13.2% | Chattanooga + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 16.7% | Chattanooga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 12.2% | Tallahassee + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Chattanooga +
Tallahassee
67.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
52.5 in
Chattanooga +
Tallahassee
58.1 in
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 67.6°F | Chattanooga + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5 in | 58.1 in | Chattanooga + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
8.9 µg/m³
Tallahassee
7.2 µg/m³
Tallahassee +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chattanooga
75.0%
Tallahassee
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tallahassee + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chattanooga
20.3 min
Tallahassee
20.3 min
Tie
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 20.3 min | Tie |
Which City is Right for You?
Chattanooga leads in median household income at $61,028, while tallahassee offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $293,664. On public safety, Tallahassee is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Chattanooga. Chattanooga has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Tallahassee has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tallahassee scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.1%.
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