Chattanooga TN vs Tulsa OK — 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%
Tulsa, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 412,322
- Median HH Income$58,407
- Median Home Price$220,279
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+33.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chattanooga
182,832
Tulsa
412,322
Tulsa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chattanooga
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
Median Age
Chattanooga
36.6
Tulsa
35.5
Tulsa +
Foreign Born
Chattanooga
7.7%
Tulsa
11.9%
Tulsa +
White
Chattanooga
58.4%
Chattanooga +
Tulsa
57.0%
Black
Chattanooga
28.6%
Chattanooga +
Tulsa
14.2%
Asian
Chattanooga
2.4%
Tulsa
3.5%
Tulsa +
Hispanic
Chattanooga
9.3%
Tulsa
19.2%
Tulsa +
Spanish at Home
Chattanooga
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 412,322 | Tulsa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 35.5 | Tulsa + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 11.9% | Tulsa + |
| White | 58.4% | 57.0% | Chattanooga + |
| Black | 28.6% | 14.2% | Chattanooga + |
| Asian | 2.4% | 3.5% | Tulsa + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 19.2% | Tulsa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chattanooga
$61,028
Chattanooga +
Tulsa
$58,407
Per Capita Income
Chattanooga
$40,040
Chattanooga +
Tulsa
$37,533
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chattanooga
$59,097
Chattanooga +
Tulsa
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Chattanooga
4.9%
Chattanooga +
Tulsa
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Chattanooga
17.6%
Chattanooga +
Tulsa
18.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chattanooga
35.5%
Chattanooga +
Tulsa
33.3%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,028 | $58,407 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,040 | $37,533 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $57,929 | Chattanooga + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 6.1% | Chattanooga + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.6% | 18.6% | Chattanooga + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 33.3% | Chattanooga + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chattanooga
$322,291
Tulsa
$220,279
Tulsa +
Homeownership Rate
Chattanooga
53.1%
Chattanooga +
Tulsa
52.0%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $322,291 | $220,279 | Tulsa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 52.0% | Chattanooga + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
639
Tulsa
429
Tulsa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
2350
Chattanooga +
Tulsa
2375
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 429 | Tulsa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2375 | Chattanooga + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
36.3%
Chattanooga +
Tulsa
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
13.9%
Tulsa
12.8%
Tulsa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chattanooga
19.2%
Tulsa
18.8%
Tulsa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
12.7%
Chattanooga +
Tulsa
14.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
14.2%
Tulsa
12.9%
Tulsa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
16.7%
Tulsa
16.3%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 37.5% | Chattanooga + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 12.8% | Tulsa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 18.8% | Tulsa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 14.4% | Chattanooga + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 12.9% | Tulsa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.3% | Tulsa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Tulsa
60.8°F
Tulsa +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
52.5 in
Tulsa
41.0 in
Tulsa +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 60.8°F | Tulsa + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5 in | 41.0 in | Tulsa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
8.9 µg/m³
Tulsa
8.8 µg/m³
Tulsa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chattanooga
75.0%
Tulsa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tulsa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chattanooga
20.3 min
Tulsa
20.2 min
Tulsa +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 20.2 min | Tulsa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chattanooga leads in median household income at $61,028, while tulsa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $220,279. On public safety, Tulsa is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Chattanooga. Chattanooga has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Tulsa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chattanooga scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.3%.
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