Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Chattanooga, TN
VS
Independence, MO
🏆 It's a dead heat — 11 categories each
Chattanooga
Tennessee
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.8 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$57,703 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
217⚠ High
Population
181,288 ✓ Larger
Independence
Missouri
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
93.3
Median Household Income
$57,415
Violent Crime Index
150⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
122,218
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Chattanooga, TN
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.1 pts lower (5.1%)
More college-educated — 34.1% hold a bachelor's or higher
Commutes run 5 min shorter each way
Milder winters — January highs near 51°F vs 38°F
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.8)
Cons
Violent crime (823.7/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3942.4/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Independence, MO
Pros
Homes cost $80k less ($150,800 vs $230,500)
31% less violent crime than Chattanooga
Living costs sit below the national average (index 93.3)
Cons
Violent crime (571.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3523.7/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (6.2% vs 5.1%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Chattanooga
Cost of Living
1% cheaper
COL index 92.8 vs 93.3 (100 = US avg)
Chattanooga
Unemployment
1.1 pp lower
5.1% vs 6.2% unemployment
Chattanooga
Summer Heat
3.6°F warmer
July avg high 90.5°F vs 86.9°F
Independence
Violent Crime
31% lower
571.2 vs 823.7 per 100k
Independence
Median Home Value
$80k less
$150,800 vs $230,500
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Independence, MO |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.8 ✓ Cheaper | 93.3 |
| Median Home Value | $230,500 | $150,800 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,066 | $1,020 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $57,703 ✓ Higher | $57,415 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.2%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.2 min ✓ Shorter | 23.9 min |
| Work From Home % | 10.4% ✓ Higher | 8.2% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 205⚠ High | 157⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 217⚠ High | 150⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 188⚠ High | 168⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (101) ✓ Better | B- (94) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | — | 14.7:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 34.1% ✓ Higher | 19.5% |
| High School or Higher | 89.0% | 90.0% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Hamilton County | INDEPENDENCE 30 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 51.0°F ✓ Warmer | 37.6°F |
| Avg High — July | 90.5°F ✓ Warmer | 86.9°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 55.0" | 44.7" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 3.6" ✓ Less | 13.2" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 181,288 ✓ Larger | 122,218 |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 39.5 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.4% | 60.5% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 20.0% | 22.6% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 17.2% | 18.4% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Chattanooga's cost of living index is 92.8 vs Independence's 93.3 (US average = 100).
Chattanooga is 0% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, It's a dead heat — 11 categories each. Chattanooga wins 11 and Independence wins 11. 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 Independence or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($230,500 vs $150,800 median home), income ($57,703 vs $57,415), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Chattanooga, TN and Independence, MO are about 573 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.