Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Chattanooga, TN
VS
Joliet, IL
🏆 Chattanooga leads 15 of 22 categories
Chattanooga
Tennessee
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.8 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$57,703
Violent Crime Index
217⚠ High
Population
181,288 ✓ Larger
Joliet
Illinois
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$84,971 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
92 ✓ Safer
Population
150,221
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Chattanooga, TN
Pros
Commutes run 10 min shorter each way
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.1 pts lower (5.1%)
Milder winters — January highs near 51°F vs 31°F
10% cheaper overall cost of living than Joliet
More college-educated — 34.1% hold a bachelor's or higher
Rent averages $108/mo less ($1,066 vs $1,174)
Cons
Median income trails Joliet by $27,268/yr
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
Joliet, IL
Pros
58% less violent crime than Chattanooga
Households earn $27,268 more per year on average
Cooler summers — July highs near 84°F vs 91°F
Cons
Higher unemployment (6.2% vs 5.1%)
Cost of living runs 10% higher than Chattanooga
Longer commutes — 29.6 min average each way
Key Differences at a Glance
Chattanooga
Cost of Living
10% cheaper
COL index 92.8 vs 102.6 (100 = US avg)
Chattanooga
Unemployment
1.1 pp lower
5.1% vs 6.2% unemployment
Chattanooga
Summer Heat
6.9°F warmer
July avg high 90.5°F vs 83.6°F
Joliet
Median Income
$27,268
$84,971 vs $57,703/yr
Joliet
Violent Crime
58% lower
350.0 vs 823.7 per 100k
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Joliet, 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 | $233,800 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,066 ✓ Lower | $1,174 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $57,703 | $84,971 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.2%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.2 min ✓ Shorter | 29.6 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 10.4% ✓ Higher | 6.6% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 205⚠ High | 79 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 217⚠ High | 92 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 188⚠ High | 59 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (101) ✓ Better | B- (93) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | — | 14.2:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 34.1% ✓ Higher | 24.9% |
| High School or Higher | 89.0% ✓ Higher | 84.8% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Hamilton County | Joliet PSD 86 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 51.0°F ✓ Warmer | 31.1°F |
| Avg High — July | 90.5°F ✓ Warmer | 83.6°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 55.0" | 40.2" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 3.6" ✓ Less | 16.9" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 181,288 ✓ Larger | 150,221 |
| Median Age | 37.0 ✓ Older | 34.3 |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.4% | 72.4% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 20.0% | 26.5% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 17.2% ✓ More | 10.2% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Chattanooga's cost of living index is 92.8 vs Joliet's 102.6 (US average = 100).
Chattanooga is 10% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Chattanooga leads 15 of 22 categories. Chattanooga wins 15 and Joliet wins 7. 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 Joliet or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($230,500 vs $233,800 median home), income ($57,703 vs $84,971), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Chattanooga, TN and Joliet, IL are about 473 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.