Chattanooga TN vs Wilmington DE — 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%
Wilmington, DE
Delaware · Population: 71,124
- Median HH Income$55,269
- Median Home Price$327,117
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+33.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chattanooga
182,832
Chattanooga +
Wilmington
71,124
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chattanooga
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Chattanooga
36.6
Chattanooga +
Wilmington
37.0
Foreign Born
Chattanooga
7.7%
Wilmington
8.3%
Wilmington +
White
Chattanooga
58.4%
Chattanooga +
Wilmington
32.4%
Black
Chattanooga
28.6%
Wilmington
52.3%
Wilmington +
Asian
Chattanooga
2.4%
Chattanooga +
Wilmington
1.6%
Hispanic
Chattanooga
9.3%
Wilmington
11.8%
Wilmington +
Spanish at Home
Chattanooga
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 71,124 | Chattanooga + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 37.0 | Chattanooga + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 8.3% | Wilmington + |
| White | 58.4% | 32.4% | Chattanooga + |
| Black | 28.6% | 52.3% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 2.4% | 1.6% | Chattanooga + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 11.8% | Wilmington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chattanooga
$61,028
Chattanooga +
Wilmington
$55,269
Per Capita Income
Chattanooga
$40,040
Chattanooga +
Wilmington
$38,786
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chattanooga
$59,097
Wilmington
$64,087
Wilmington +
Unemployment Rate
Chattanooga
4.9%
Chattanooga +
Wilmington
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Chattanooga
17.6%
Chattanooga +
Wilmington
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chattanooga
35.5%
Chattanooga +
Wilmington
33.1%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,028 | $55,269 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,040 | $38,786 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $64,087 | Wilmington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 7.6% | Chattanooga + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.6% | 23.2% | Chattanooga + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 33.1% | Chattanooga + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chattanooga
$322,291
Chattanooga +
Wilmington
$327,117
Homeownership Rate
Chattanooga
53.1%
Chattanooga +
Wilmington
46.0%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $322,291 | $327,117 | Chattanooga + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 46.0% | Chattanooga + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
639
Wilmington
394
Wilmington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
2350
Wilmington
1991
Wilmington +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 394 | Wilmington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1991 | Wilmington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
36.3%
Chattanooga +
Wilmington
41.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
13.9%
Chattanooga +
Wilmington
16.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chattanooga
19.2%
Wilmington
18.4%
Wilmington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
12.7%
Wilmington
12.7%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
14.2%
Wilmington
13.5%
Wilmington +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
16.7%
Wilmington
16.4%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 41.0% | Chattanooga + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 16.0% | Chattanooga + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 18.4% | Wilmington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 12.7% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 13.5% | Wilmington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.4% | Wilmington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Wilmington
54.4°F
Wilmington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
52.5 in
Wilmington
49.3 in
Wilmington +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 54.4°F | Wilmington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5 in | 49.3 in | Wilmington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
8.9 µg/m³
Wilmington
8.8 µg/m³
Wilmington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chattanooga
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Wilmington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chattanooga
20.3 min
Chattanooga +
Wilmington
25.0 min
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 25.0 min | Chattanooga + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chattanooga leads in median household income at $61,028, while chattanooga offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $322,291. On public safety, Wilmington is safer with a violent crime rate of 394 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Chattanooga. Chattanooga has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Wilmington 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%.
Compare More Cities
Chattanooga, TN vs New York, NYChattanooga, TN vs Los Angeles, CAChattanooga, TN vs Chicago, ILChattanooga, TN vs Houston, TXChattanooga, TN vs Phoenix, AZChattanooga, TN vs Philadelphia, PA