Abilene TX vs Chattanooga TN — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Abilene, TX
Texas · Population: 127,130
- Median HH Income$62,720
- Median Home Price$214,916
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+27.1%
Chattanooga, TN
Tennessee · Population: 182,832
- Median HH Income$61,028
- Median Home Price$322,291
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+35.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Abilene
127,130
Chattanooga
182,832
Chattanooga +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Abilene
N/A
Chattanooga
N/A
Median Age
Abilene
32.8
Abilene +
Chattanooga
36.6
Foreign Born
Abilene
7.4%
Chattanooga
7.7%
Chattanooga +
White
Abilene
66.6%
Abilene +
Chattanooga
58.4%
Black
Abilene
10.3%
Chattanooga
28.6%
Chattanooga +
Asian
Abilene
2.3%
Chattanooga
2.4%
Chattanooga +
Hispanic
Abilene
26.9%
Abilene +
Chattanooga
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Abilene
N/A
Chattanooga
N/A
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | 182,832 | Chattanooga + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.8 | 36.6 | Abilene + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 7.7% | Chattanooga + |
| White | 66.6% | 58.4% | Abilene + |
| Black | 10.3% | 28.6% | Chattanooga + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 2.4% | Chattanooga + |
| Hispanic | 26.9% | 9.3% | Abilene + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Abilene
$62,720
Abilene +
Chattanooga
$61,028
Per Capita Income
Abilene
$31,019
Chattanooga
$40,040
Chattanooga +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Abilene
$63,758
Abilene +
Chattanooga
$59,097
Unemployment Rate
Abilene
2.7%
Abilene +
Chattanooga
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Abilene
14.8%
Abilene +
Chattanooga
17.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Abilene
27.1%
Chattanooga
35.5%
Chattanooga +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,720 | $61,028 | Abilene + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,019 | $40,040 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,097 | Abilene + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 4.9% | Abilene + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.8% | 17.6% | Abilene + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.1% | 35.5% | Chattanooga + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Abilene
$214,916
Abilene +
Chattanooga
$322,291
Homeownership Rate
Abilene
55.6%
Abilene +
Chattanooga
53.1%
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $214,916 | $322,291 | Abilene + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 53.1% | Abilene + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
442
Abilene +
Chattanooga
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
2339
Abilene +
Chattanooga
2350
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 639 | Abilene + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2350 | Abilene + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
35.3%
Abilene +
Chattanooga
36.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
11.9%
Abilene +
Chattanooga
13.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Abilene
18.8%
Abilene +
Chattanooga
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Abilene
17.5%
Chattanooga
12.7%
Chattanooga +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Abilene
18.0%
Chattanooga
14.2%
Chattanooga +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Abilene
13.9%
Abilene +
Chattanooga
16.7%
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.3% | 36.3% | Abilene + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 13.9% | Abilene + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 19.2% | Abilene + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 12.7% | Chattanooga + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 14.2% | Chattanooga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 16.7% | Abilene + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
63.9°F
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Chattanooga +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
27.2 in
Abilene +
Chattanooga
52.5 in
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 60.9°F | Chattanooga + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.2 in | 52.5 in | Abilene + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Abilene
9.2 µg/m³
Chattanooga
8.9 µg/m³
Chattanooga +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Abilene
55.0%
Chattanooga
75.0%
Chattanooga +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Chattanooga + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Chattanooga + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Abilene
16.5 min
Abilene +
Chattanooga
20.3 min
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.5 min | 20.3 min | Abilene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Abilene leads in median household income at $62,720, while abilene offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $214,916. On public safety, Abilene is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Chattanooga. Abilene has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Chattanooga has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Abilene scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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