Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Chattanooga, TN
VS
Chicago, IL
🏆 Chattanooga leads 12 of 21 categories
Chattanooga
Tennessee
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.8 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$57,703
Violent Crime Index
217⚠ High
Population
181,288
Chicago
Illinois
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$71,673 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
142⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
2,721,914 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Chattanooga, TN
Pros
Homes cost $74k less ($230,500 vs $304,500)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.1 pts lower (5.1%)
Commutes run 15 min shorter each way
Rent averages $248/mo less ($1,066 vs $1,314)
Milder winters — January highs near 51°F vs 32°F
10% cheaper overall cost of living than Chicago
Cons
Violent crime (823.7/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Chicago by $13,970/yr
Property crime (3942.4/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Chicago, IL
Pros
34% less violent crime than Chattanooga
Households earn $13,970 more per year on average
More college-educated — 42.4% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 81°F vs 91°F
Cons
Violent crime (539.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3472.4/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (8.2% vs 5.1%)
Cost of living runs 10% higher than Chattanooga
Key Differences at a Glance
Chattanooga
Cost of Living
10% cheaper
COL index 92.8 vs 102.6 (100 = US avg)
Chattanooga
Median Home Value
$74k less
$230,500 vs $304,500
Chattanooga
Unemployment
3.1 pp lower
5.1% vs 8.2% unemployment
Chattanooga
Summer Heat
9.5°F warmer
July avg high 90.5°F vs 81.0°F
Chicago
Median Income
$13,970
$71,673 vs $57,703/yr
Chicago
Violent Crime
34% lower
539.8 vs 823.7 per 100k
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Chicago, IL |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.8 ✓ Cheaper | 102.6⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $230,500 ✓ Lower | $304,500 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,066 ✓ Lower | $1,314 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $57,703 | $71,673 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 8.2%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.2 min ✓ Shorter | 34.1 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 10.4% | 15.6% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 205⚠ High | 151⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 217⚠ High | 142⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 188⚠ High | 165⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (101) | A (118) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | — | 13.8:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 34.1% | 42.4% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 89.0% ✓ Higher | 86.6% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Hamilton County | Chicago Public Schools Dist 299 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 51.0°F ✓ Warmer | 31.9°F |
| Avg High — July | 90.5°F ✓ Warmer | 81.0°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 55.0" | 34.4" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 3.6" ✓ Less | 38.8" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 181,288 | 2,721,914 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 37.0 ✓ Older | 35.3 |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.4% ✓ Higher | 45.6% |
| Under 18 | 20.0% | 20.0% |
| Over 65 | 17.2% ✓ More | 13.3% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Chattanooga's cost of living index is 92.8 vs Chicago's 102.6 (US average = 100).
Chattanooga is 10% less expensive overall.
Based on the 21 decided categories above, Chattanooga leads 12 of 21 categories. Chattanooga wins 12 and Chicago wins 9. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Chattanooga to Chicago or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($230,500 vs $304,500 median home), income ($57,703 vs $71,673), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Chattanooga, TN and Chicago, IL are about 486 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.