City profile
Chattanooga, TN
A scenic mountain city with fast internet, revitalized downtown, and stunning outdoor recreation.
Climate
Climate type
Mild & temperate
Winter avg
40°F
Summer avg
79°F
Sunny days / yr
204
Home prices & cost of living
Median home price
$300,000
Typical monthly housing
$1,600
Cost of living (100 = U.S.)
90
Taxes
- Property tax
- 0.64%
- State income tax (top)
- None
- Social Security
- Not taxed
- Pensions
- Not taxed
- Sales tax (state + avg. local)
- 9.56%
FEMA natural hazard risk
Relatively Moderate · county score 93/100
Top hazards: Tornado, Strong wind, Earthquake
Nearest major airport
91 mi to McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS)
Political lean (2024 county vote)
Leans Republican · 43% Democratic / 56% Republican
Demographics (Census ACS)
Population (2024)
185,783
Growth since 2019
+3.4%
Median age
36.3
Residents 65+
17.3%
Median household income
$64,523
Income growth since 2019
+41.7%
Black household income
$42,552
Home ownership
52.4%
Poverty rate
19.1%
Poverty rate, 65+
13.7%
Race & ethnicity: Black 27.6% · White 55.5% · Hispanic 10.0% · Asian 2.3% · Other 4.7%
Crime (per 100,000 residents, 2025)
Violent crime
679 · 106% above the national average
Property crime
3,314 · 114% above the national average
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer, Chattanooga Police Department. State average: violent 499, property 1,662.
2025–2026 trends
2026 market trends
- ▸TN is gaining retirees — a sign of strong retiree services and community
- ▸Part of the New Great Migration — a growing Black community in the South
- ▸Climate/cost risks to check: tornadoes
Highlights
- Beautiful mountain scenery
- Fastest internet in US
- No state income tax
- Affordable living
Trade-offs
- Smaller metro area
- Limited cultural institutions
- Car-dependent
- Some areas less walkable
Figures are estimates from public sources (see How we match). Verify before making decisions.