Arlington 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)
Arlington, TX
Texas · Population: 394,769
- Median HH Income$73,519
- Median Home Price$313,683
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+33.1%
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
Arlington
394,769
Arlington +
Chattanooga
182,832
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Arlington
N/A
Chattanooga
N/A
Median Age
Arlington
33.6
Arlington +
Chattanooga
36.6
Foreign Born
Arlington
21.3%
Arlington +
Chattanooga
7.7%
White
Arlington
43.2%
Chattanooga
58.4%
Chattanooga +
Black
Arlington
22.4%
Chattanooga
28.6%
Chattanooga +
Asian
Arlington
7.3%
Arlington +
Chattanooga
2.4%
Hispanic
Arlington
31.0%
Arlington +
Chattanooga
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Arlington
N/A
Chattanooga
N/A
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 394,769 | 182,832 | Arlington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.6 | 36.6 | Arlington + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 7.7% | Arlington + |
| White | 43.2% | 58.4% | Chattanooga + |
| Black | 22.4% | 28.6% | Chattanooga + |
| Asian | 7.3% | 2.4% | Arlington + |
| Hispanic | 31.0% | 9.3% | Arlington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Arlington
$73,519
Arlington +
Chattanooga
$61,028
Per Capita Income
Arlington
$35,226
Chattanooga
$40,040
Chattanooga +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Arlington
$63,758
Arlington +
Chattanooga
$59,097
Unemployment Rate
Arlington
5.7%
Chattanooga
4.9%
Chattanooga +
Poverty Rate
Arlington
13.1%
Arlington +
Chattanooga
17.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Arlington
33.1%
Chattanooga
35.5%
Chattanooga +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,519 | $61,028 | Arlington + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,226 | $40,040 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,097 | Arlington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 4.9% | Chattanooga + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.1% | 17.6% | Arlington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.1% | 35.5% | Chattanooga + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Arlington
$313,683
Arlington +
Chattanooga
$322,291
Homeownership Rate
Arlington
54.8%
Arlington +
Chattanooga
53.1%
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,683 | $322,291 | Arlington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.8% | 53.1% | Arlington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
442
Arlington +
Chattanooga
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
2339
Arlington +
Chattanooga
2350
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 639 | Arlington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2350 | Arlington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
33.8%
Arlington +
Chattanooga
36.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
12.0%
Arlington +
Chattanooga
13.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Arlington
18.2%
Arlington +
Chattanooga
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Arlington
18.4%
Chattanooga
12.7%
Chattanooga +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Arlington
16.0%
Chattanooga
14.2%
Chattanooga +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Arlington
13.3%
Arlington +
Chattanooga
16.7%
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 36.3% | Arlington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 13.9% | Arlington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | 19.2% | Arlington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 12.7% | Chattanooga + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 14.2% | Chattanooga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 16.7% | Arlington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
65.4°F
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Chattanooga +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
39.6 in
Arlington +
Chattanooga
52.5 in
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.4°F | 60.9°F | Chattanooga + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.6 in | 52.5 in | Arlington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Arlington
9.2 µg/m³
Chattanooga
8.9 µg/m³
Chattanooga +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Arlington
55.0%
Chattanooga
75.0%
Chattanooga +
| Metric | Arlington, 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
Arlington
29.0 min
Chattanooga
20.3 min
Chattanooga +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.0 min | 20.3 min | Chattanooga + |
Which City is Right for You?
Arlington leads in median household income at $73,519, while arlington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,683. On public safety, Arlington is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Chattanooga. Chattanooga has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Chattanooga has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Arlington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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