Carrollton 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)
Carrollton, TX
Texas · Population: 132,741
- Median HH Income$99,115
- Median Home Price$408,531
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
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
Carrollton
132,741
Chattanooga
182,832
Chattanooga +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Carrollton
N/A
Chattanooga
N/A
Median Age
Carrollton
38.4
Chattanooga
36.6
Chattanooga +
Foreign Born
Carrollton
26.9%
Carrollton +
Chattanooga
7.7%
White
Carrollton
52.1%
Chattanooga
58.4%
Chattanooga +
Black
Carrollton
9.2%
Chattanooga
28.6%
Chattanooga +
Asian
Carrollton
16.4%
Carrollton +
Chattanooga
2.4%
Hispanic
Carrollton
31.8%
Carrollton +
Chattanooga
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Carrollton
N/A
Chattanooga
N/A
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 132,741 | 182,832 | Chattanooga + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 36.6 | Chattanooga + |
| Foreign Born | 26.9% | 7.7% | Carrollton + |
| White | 52.1% | 58.4% | Chattanooga + |
| Black | 9.2% | 28.6% | Chattanooga + |
| Asian | 16.4% | 2.4% | Carrollton + |
| Hispanic | 31.8% | 9.3% | Carrollton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Carrollton
$99,115
Carrollton +
Chattanooga
$61,028
Per Capita Income
Carrollton
$50,000
Carrollton +
Chattanooga
$40,040
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Carrollton
$63,758
Carrollton +
Chattanooga
$59,097
Unemployment Rate
Carrollton
3.2%
Carrollton +
Chattanooga
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Carrollton
6.9%
Carrollton +
Chattanooga
17.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Carrollton
43.3%
Carrollton +
Chattanooga
35.5%
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $99,115 | $61,028 | Carrollton + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,000 | $40,040 | Carrollton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,097 | Carrollton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 4.9% | Carrollton + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.9% | 17.6% | Carrollton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 35.5% | Carrollton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Carrollton
$408,531
Chattanooga
$322,291
Chattanooga +
Homeownership Rate
Carrollton
58.3%
Carrollton +
Chattanooga
53.1%
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $408,531 | $322,291 | Chattanooga + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.3% | 53.1% | Carrollton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carrollton
442
Carrollton +
Chattanooga
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carrollton
2339
Carrollton +
Chattanooga
2350
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 639 | Carrollton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2350 | Carrollton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Carrollton
32.2%
Carrollton +
Chattanooga
36.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Carrollton
10.8%
Carrollton +
Chattanooga
13.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Carrollton
15.3%
Carrollton +
Chattanooga
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Carrollton
14.8%
Chattanooga
12.7%
Chattanooga +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Carrollton
16.9%
Chattanooga
14.2%
Chattanooga +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Carrollton
9.8%
Carrollton +
Chattanooga
16.7%
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.2% | 36.3% | Carrollton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 13.9% | Carrollton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.3% | 19.2% | Carrollton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 12.7% | Chattanooga + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 14.2% | Chattanooga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 16.7% | Carrollton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carrollton
N/A
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carrollton
N/A
Chattanooga
52.5 in
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 60.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Carrollton
9.2 µg/m³
Chattanooga
8.9 µg/m³
Chattanooga +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Carrollton
55.0%
Chattanooga
75.0%
Chattanooga +
| Metric | Carrollton, 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
Carrollton
26.2 min
Chattanooga
20.3 min
Chattanooga +
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.2 min | 20.3 min | Chattanooga + |
Which City is Right for You?
Carrollton leads in median household income at $99,115, while chattanooga offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $322,291. On public safety, Carrollton is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Chattanooga. Carrollton has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Chattanooga has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Carrollton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.2%.
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