Chattanooga TN vs Tempe 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%
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chattanooga
182,832
Tempe
186,419
Tempe +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chattanooga
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
Chattanooga
36.6
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
Chattanooga
7.7%
Tempe
13.9%
Tempe +
White
Chattanooga
58.4%
Tempe
60.1%
Tempe +
Black
Chattanooga
28.6%
Chattanooga +
Tempe
7.8%
Asian
Chattanooga
2.4%
Tempe
9.5%
Tempe +
Hispanic
Chattanooga
9.3%
Tempe
23.1%
Tempe +
Spanish at Home
Chattanooga
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 186,419 | Tempe + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 13.9% | Tempe + |
| White | 58.4% | 60.1% | Tempe + |
| Black | 28.6% | 7.8% | Chattanooga + |
| Asian | 2.4% | 9.5% | Tempe + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 23.1% | Tempe + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chattanooga
$61,028
Tempe
$77,643
Tempe +
Per Capita Income
Chattanooga
$40,040
Tempe
$42,371
Tempe +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chattanooga
$59,097
Tempe
$59,120
Tempe +
Unemployment Rate
Chattanooga
4.9%
Chattanooga +
Tempe
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Chattanooga
17.6%
Tempe
16.2%
Tempe +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chattanooga
35.5%
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,028 | $77,643 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,040 | $42,371 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $59,120 | Tempe + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.7% | Chattanooga + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.6% | 16.2% | Tempe + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 49.5% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chattanooga
$322,291
Chattanooga +
Tempe
$468,328
Homeownership Rate
Chattanooga
53.1%
Chattanooga +
Tempe
41.6%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $322,291 | $468,328 | Chattanooga + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 41.6% | Chattanooga + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
639
Tempe
450
Tempe +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
2350
Tempe
2150
Tempe +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 450 | Tempe + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2150 | Tempe + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
36.3%
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
13.9%
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chattanooga
19.2%
Tempe
16.6%
Tempe +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
12.7%
Tempe
10.7%
Tempe +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
14.2%
Chattanooga +
Tempe
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
16.7%
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 27.2% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 7.2% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 16.6% | Tempe + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 10.7% | Tempe + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 18.3% | Chattanooga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 9.1% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Chattanooga +
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
52.5 in
Tempe
9.3 in
Tempe +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 71.3°F | Chattanooga + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5 in | 9.3 in | Tempe + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
8.9 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chattanooga
75.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chattanooga
20.3 min
Chattanooga +
Tempe
23.2 min
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 23.2 min | Chattanooga + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tempe leads in median household income at $77,643, while chattanooga offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $322,291. On public safety, Tempe is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Chattanooga. Chattanooga has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Tempe has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tempe scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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