Chattanooga TN vs Wilmington NC — 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, NC
North Carolina · Population: 250,887
- Median HH Income$57,673
- Median Home Price$419,326
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+37.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chattanooga
182,832
Wilmington
250,887
Wilmington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chattanooga
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Chattanooga
36.6
Wilmington
35.6
Wilmington +
Foreign Born
Chattanooga
7.7%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
White
Chattanooga
58.4%
Chattanooga +
Wilmington
48.7%
Black
Chattanooga
28.6%
Wilmington
32.4%
Wilmington +
Asian
Chattanooga
2.4%
Chattanooga +
Wilmington
2.3%
Hispanic
Chattanooga
9.3%
Wilmington
17.9%
Wilmington +
Spanish at Home
Chattanooga
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 250,887 | Wilmington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 35.6 | Wilmington + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| White | 58.4% | 48.7% | Chattanooga + |
| Black | 28.6% | 32.4% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 2.4% | 2.3% | Chattanooga + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 17.9% | Wilmington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chattanooga
$61,028
Chattanooga +
Wilmington
$57,673
Per Capita Income
Chattanooga
$40,040
Chattanooga +
Wilmington
$35,074
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chattanooga
$59,097
Wilmington
$59,120
Wilmington +
Unemployment Rate
Chattanooga
4.9%
Chattanooga +
Wilmington
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Chattanooga
17.6%
Chattanooga +
Wilmington
17.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chattanooga
35.5%
Wilmington
37.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,028 | $57,673 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,040 | $35,074 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $59,120 | Wilmington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.9% | Chattanooga + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.6% | 17.9% | Chattanooga + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 37.2% | Wilmington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chattanooga
$322,291
Chattanooga +
Wilmington
$419,326
Homeownership Rate
Chattanooga
53.1%
Wilmington
54.6%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $322,291 | $419,326 | Chattanooga + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 54.6% | Wilmington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
639
Wilmington
398
Wilmington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
2350
Wilmington
1999
Wilmington +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 398 | Wilmington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1999 | Wilmington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
36.3%
Wilmington
31.9%
Wilmington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
13.9%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chattanooga
19.2%
Wilmington
17.4%
Wilmington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
12.7%
Wilmington
9.6%
Wilmington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
14.2%
Chattanooga +
Wilmington
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
16.7%
Wilmington
12.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 31.9% | Wilmington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 17.4% | Wilmington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 9.6% | Wilmington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 17.5% | Chattanooga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 12.2% | Wilmington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Chattanooga +
Wilmington
63.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
52.5 in
Chattanooga +
Wilmington
58.4 in
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 63.8°F | Chattanooga + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5 in | 58.4 in | Chattanooga + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
8.9 µg/m³
Wilmington
8.7 µg/m³
Wilmington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chattanooga
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Wilmington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chattanooga
20.3 min
Chattanooga +
Wilmington
23.2 min
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 23.2 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 398 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 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wilmington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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