Austin 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)
Austin, TX
Texas · Population: 967,862
- Median HH Income$91,461
- Median Home Price$511,264
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+58.2%
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
Austin
967,862
Austin +
Chattanooga
182,832
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Austin
N/A
Chattanooga
N/A
Median Age
Austin
34.5
Austin +
Chattanooga
36.6
Foreign Born
Austin
18.1%
Austin +
Chattanooga
7.7%
White
Austin
59.9%
Austin +
Chattanooga
58.4%
Black
Austin
7.5%
Chattanooga
28.6%
Chattanooga +
Asian
Austin
8.6%
Austin +
Chattanooga
2.4%
Hispanic
Austin
32.2%
Austin +
Chattanooga
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Austin
N/A
Chattanooga
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 182,832 | Austin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 36.6 | Austin + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 7.7% | Austin + |
| White | 59.9% | 58.4% | Austin + |
| Black | 7.5% | 28.6% | Chattanooga + |
| Asian | 8.6% | 2.4% | Austin + |
| Hispanic | 32.2% | 9.3% | Austin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Austin
$91,461
Austin +
Chattanooga
$61,028
Per Capita Income
Austin
$59,427
Austin +
Chattanooga
$40,040
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Austin
$63,758
Austin +
Chattanooga
$59,097
Unemployment Rate
Austin
4.5%
Austin +
Chattanooga
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Austin
12.3%
Austin +
Chattanooga
17.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Austin
58.2%
Austin +
Chattanooga
35.5%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,461 | $61,028 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,427 | $40,040 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,097 | Austin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 4.9% | Austin + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 17.6% | Austin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.2% | 35.5% | Austin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Austin
$511,264
Chattanooga
$322,291
Chattanooga +
Homeownership Rate
Austin
44.4%
Chattanooga
53.1%
Chattanooga +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $511,264 | $322,291 | Chattanooga + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.4% | 53.1% | Chattanooga + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
442
Austin +
Chattanooga
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
2339
Austin +
Chattanooga
2350
| Metric | Austin, TX | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 639 | Austin + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2350 | Austin + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
30.1%
Austin +
Chattanooga
36.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
8.1%
Austin +
Chattanooga
13.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Austin
16.9%
Austin +
Chattanooga
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Austin
15.1%
Chattanooga
12.7%
Chattanooga +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Austin
20.0%
Chattanooga
14.2%
Chattanooga +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Austin
9.4%
Austin +
Chattanooga
16.7%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 36.3% | Austin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 13.9% | Austin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 19.2% | Austin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 12.7% | Chattanooga + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 14.2% | Chattanooga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 16.7% | Austin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
67.2°F
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Chattanooga +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
34.9 in
Austin +
Chattanooga
52.5 in
| Metric | Austin, TX | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.2°F | 60.9°F | Chattanooga + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.9 in | 52.5 in | Austin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Austin
9.2 µg/m³
Chattanooga
8.9 µg/m³
Chattanooga +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Austin
55.0%
Chattanooga
75.0%
Chattanooga +
| Metric | Austin, 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
Austin
25.8 min
Chattanooga
20.3 min
Chattanooga +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 20.3 min | Chattanooga + |
Which City is Right for You?
Austin leads in median household income at $91,461, while chattanooga offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $322,291. On public safety, Austin is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Chattanooga. Austin has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Chattanooga has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Austin scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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