Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Chattanooga, TN
VS
Minneapolis, MN
🏆 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 ✓ Safer
Population
181,288
Minneapolis
Minnesota
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
104.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$76,332 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
305⚠ High
Population
426,877 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Chattanooga, TN
Pros
Homes cost $98k less ($230,500 vs $328,700)
29% less violent crime than Minneapolis
Rent averages $201/mo less ($1,066 vs $1,267)
Milder winters — January highs near 51°F vs 22°F
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.7 pts lower (5.1%)
12% cheaper overall cost of living than Minneapolis
Cons
Violent crime (823.7/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Minneapolis by $18,629/yr
Property crime (3942.4/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Minneapolis, MN
Pros
Households earn $18,629 more per year on average
More college-educated — 53.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 83°F vs 91°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $328,700
Violent crime (1160.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (5142.9/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Cost of living runs 12% higher than Chattanooga
Key Differences at a Glance
Chattanooga
Cost of Living
12% cheaper
COL index 92.8 vs 104.5 (100 = US avg)
Chattanooga
Violent Crime
29% lower
823.7 vs 1160.2 per 100k
Chattanooga
Median Home Value
$98k less
$230,500 vs $328,700
Chattanooga
Unemployment
0.7 pp lower
5.1% vs 5.8% unemployment
Chattanooga
Summer Heat
7.4°F warmer
July avg high 90.5°F vs 83.1°F
Minneapolis
Median Income
$18,629
$76,332 vs $57,703/yr
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Minneapolis, MN |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.8 ✓ Cheaper | 104.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $230,500 ✓ Lower | $328,700⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,066 ✓ Lower | $1,267 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $57,703 | $76,332 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 5.8%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.2 min ✓ Shorter | 22.9 min |
| Work From Home % | 10.4% | 19.6% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 205⚠ High ✓ Safer | 281⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 217⚠ High ✓ Safer | 305⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 188⚠ High ✓ Safer | 245⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (101) | A- (117) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | — | 11.9:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 34.1% | 53.5% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 89.0% | 90.8% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Hamilton County | Minneapolis Public School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 51.0°F ✓ Warmer | 21.7°F |
| Avg High — July | 90.5°F ✓ Warmer | 83.1°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 55.0" | 33.3" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 3.6" ✓ Less | 40.4" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 181,288 | 426,877 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 37.0 ✓ Older | 32.8 |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.4% ✓ Higher | 48.1% |
| Under 18 | 20.0% ✓ More | 19.1% |
| Over 65 | 17.2% ✓ More | 10.7% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Chattanooga's cost of living index is 92.8 vs Minneapolis's 104.5 (US average = 100).
Chattanooga is 12% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Chattanooga leads 15 of 22 categories. Chattanooga wins 15 and Minneapolis 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 Minneapolis or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($230,500 vs $328,700 median home), income ($57,703 vs $76,332), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Chattanooga, TN and Minneapolis, MN are about 804 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.