Chattanooga TN vs West Palm Beach 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%
West Palm Beach, FL
Florida · Population: 119,508
- Median HH Income$69,261
- Median Home Price$399,650
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+37.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chattanooga
182,832
Chattanooga +
West Palm Beach
119,508
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chattanooga
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
Median Age
Chattanooga
36.6
Chattanooga +
West Palm Beach
40.2
Foreign Born
Chattanooga
7.7%
West Palm Beach
27.2%
West Palm Beach +
White
Chattanooga
58.4%
Chattanooga +
West Palm Beach
44.0%
Black
Chattanooga
28.6%
West Palm Beach
31.5%
West Palm Beach +
Asian
Chattanooga
2.4%
West Palm Beach
2.5%
West Palm Beach +
Hispanic
Chattanooga
9.3%
West Palm Beach
24.6%
West Palm Beach +
Spanish at Home
Chattanooga
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 119,508 | Chattanooga + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 40.2 | Chattanooga + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 27.2% | West Palm Beach + |
| White | 58.4% | 44.0% | Chattanooga + |
| Black | 28.6% | 31.5% | West Palm Beach + |
| Asian | 2.4% | 2.5% | West Palm Beach + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 24.6% | West Palm Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chattanooga
$61,028
West Palm Beach
$69,261
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Income
Chattanooga
$40,040
West Palm Beach
$44,508
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chattanooga
$59,097
West Palm Beach
$65,328
West Palm Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Chattanooga
4.9%
Chattanooga +
West Palm Beach
5.4%
Poverty Rate
Chattanooga
17.6%
West Palm Beach
14.8%
West Palm Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chattanooga
35.5%
West Palm Beach
37.6%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,028 | $69,261 | West Palm Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,040 | $44,508 | West Palm Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $65,328 | West Palm Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.4% | Chattanooga + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.6% | 14.8% | West Palm Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 37.6% | West Palm Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chattanooga
$322,291
Chattanooga +
West Palm Beach
$399,650
Homeownership Rate
Chattanooga
53.1%
Chattanooga +
West Palm Beach
50.2%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $322,291 | $399,650 | Chattanooga + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 50.2% | Chattanooga + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
639
West Palm Beach
324
West Palm Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
2350
West Palm Beach
1453
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 324 | West Palm Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1453 | West Palm Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
36.3%
West Palm Beach
29.1%
West Palm Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
13.9%
West Palm Beach
13.7%
West Palm Beach +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chattanooga
19.2%
West Palm Beach
16.4%
West Palm Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
12.7%
Chattanooga +
West Palm Beach
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
14.2%
West Palm Beach
13.3%
West Palm Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
16.7%
West Palm Beach
13.0%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 29.1% | West Palm Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 13.7% | West Palm Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 16.4% | West Palm Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 16.9% | Chattanooga + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 13.3% | West Palm Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 13.0% | West Palm Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Chattanooga +
West Palm Beach
75.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
52.5 in
Chattanooga +
West Palm Beach
62.3 in
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 75.4°F | Chattanooga + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5 in | 62.3 in | Chattanooga + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
8.9 µg/m³
West Palm Beach
7.2 µg/m³
West Palm Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chattanooga
75.0%
West Palm Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | West Palm Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chattanooga
20.3 min
Chattanooga +
West Palm Beach
25.0 min
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 25.0 min | Chattanooga + |
Which City is Right for You?
West Palm Beach leads in median household income at $69,261, while chattanooga offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $322,291. On public safety, West Palm Beach 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 West Palm Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, West Palm Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.1%.
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