Chattanooga TN vs Utica NY — 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%
Utica, NY
New York · Population: 51,054
- Median HH Income$57,688
- Median Home Price$205,924
- Unemployment9.4%
- Bachelor's+36.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chattanooga
182,832
Chattanooga +
Utica
51,054
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chattanooga
N/A
Utica
N/A
Median Age
Chattanooga
36.6
Utica
33.0
Utica +
Foreign Born
Chattanooga
7.7%
Utica
9.7%
Utica +
White
Chattanooga
58.4%
Utica
64.8%
Utica +
Black
Chattanooga
28.6%
Chattanooga +
Utica
16.9%
Asian
Chattanooga
2.4%
Utica
4.3%
Utica +
Hispanic
Chattanooga
9.3%
Utica
9.8%
Utica +
Spanish at Home
Chattanooga
N/A
Utica
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 51,054 | Chattanooga + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 33.0 | Utica + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 9.7% | Utica + |
| White | 58.4% | 64.8% | Utica + |
| Black | 28.6% | 16.9% | Chattanooga + |
| Asian | 2.4% | 4.3% | Utica + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 9.8% | Utica + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chattanooga
$61,028
Chattanooga +
Utica
$57,688
Per Capita Income
Chattanooga
$40,040
Chattanooga +
Utica
$35,780
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chattanooga
$59,097
Utica
$77,425
Utica +
Unemployment Rate
Chattanooga
4.9%
Chattanooga +
Utica
9.4%
Poverty Rate
Chattanooga
17.6%
Chattanooga +
Utica
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chattanooga
35.5%
Utica
36.8%
Utica +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,028 | $57,688 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,040 | $35,780 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $77,425 | Utica + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 9.4% | Chattanooga + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.6% | 23.8% | Chattanooga + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 36.8% | Utica + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chattanooga
$322,291
Utica
$205,924
Utica +
Homeownership Rate
Chattanooga
53.1%
Chattanooga +
Utica
36.8%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $322,291 | $205,924 | Utica + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 36.8% | Chattanooga + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
639
Utica
434
Utica +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
2350
Utica
1736
Utica +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 434 | Utica + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1736 | Utica + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
36.3%
Chattanooga +
Utica
39.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
13.9%
Chattanooga +
Utica
14.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chattanooga
19.2%
Chattanooga +
Utica
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
12.7%
Utica
11.1%
Utica +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
14.2%
Chattanooga +
Utica
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
16.7%
Chattanooga +
Utica
18.7%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 39.6% | Chattanooga + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 14.1% | Chattanooga + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 19.4% | Chattanooga + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 11.1% | Utica + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 15.2% | Chattanooga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 18.7% | Chattanooga + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Utica
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
52.5 in
Utica
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Utica, NY | 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
Utica
8.1 µg/m³
Utica +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chattanooga
75.0%
Utica
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Utica + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chattanooga
20.3 min
Chattanooga +
Utica
22.7 min
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 22.7 min | Chattanooga + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chattanooga leads in median household income at $61,028, while utica offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $205,924. On public safety, Utica is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Chattanooga. Chattanooga has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Utica has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chattanooga scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.3%.
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