Chattanooga TN vs Dallas TX — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Chattanooga, TN
Tennessee · Population: 182,832
- Median HH Income$61,028
- Median Home Price$322,291
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+35.5%
Dallas, TX
Texas · Population: 1,299,553
- Median HH Income$67,760
- Median Home Price$311,957
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+37.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chattanooga
182,832
Dallas
1,299,553
Dallas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chattanooga
N/A
Dallas
N/A
Median Age
Chattanooga
36.6
Dallas
33.4
Dallas +
Foreign Born
Chattanooga
7.7%
Dallas
23.4%
Dallas +
White
Chattanooga
58.4%
Chattanooga +
Dallas
41.9%
Black
Chattanooga
28.6%
Chattanooga +
Dallas
23.7%
Asian
Chattanooga
2.4%
Dallas
3.7%
Dallas +
Hispanic
Chattanooga
9.3%
Dallas
41.9%
Dallas +
Spanish at Home
Chattanooga
N/A
Dallas
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Dallas, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 1,299,553 | Dallas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 33.4 | Dallas + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 23.4% | Dallas + |
| White | 58.4% | 41.9% | Chattanooga + |
| Black | 28.6% | 23.7% | Chattanooga + |
| Asian | 2.4% | 3.7% | Dallas + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 41.9% | Dallas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chattanooga
$61,028
Dallas
$67,760
Dallas +
Per Capita Income
Chattanooga
$40,040
Dallas
$44,138
Dallas +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chattanooga
$59,097
Dallas
$63,758
Dallas +
Unemployment Rate
Chattanooga
4.9%
Dallas
4.9%
Tie
Poverty Rate
Chattanooga
17.6%
Dallas
17.2%
Dallas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chattanooga
35.5%
Dallas
37.4%
Dallas +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Dallas, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,028 | $67,760 | Dallas + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,040 | $44,138 | Dallas + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $63,758 | Dallas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.9% | Tie |
| Poverty Rate | 17.6% | 17.2% | Dallas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 37.4% | Dallas + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chattanooga
$322,291
Dallas
$311,957
Dallas +
Homeownership Rate
Chattanooga
53.1%
Chattanooga +
Dallas
42.4%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Dallas, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $322,291 | $311,957 | Dallas + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 42.4% | Chattanooga + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
639
Dallas
442
Dallas +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
2350
Dallas
2339
Dallas +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Dallas, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 442 | Dallas + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2339 | Dallas + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
36.3%
Chattanooga +
Dallas
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
13.9%
Dallas
12.4%
Dallas +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chattanooga
19.2%
Dallas
17.8%
Dallas +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
12.7%
Chattanooga +
Dallas
22.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
14.2%
Chattanooga +
Dallas
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
16.7%
Dallas
13.0%
Dallas +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Dallas, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 36.8% | Chattanooga + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 12.4% | Dallas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 17.8% | Dallas + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 22.7% | Chattanooga + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 17.4% | Chattanooga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 13.0% | Dallas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Chattanooga +
Dallas
65.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
52.5 in
Dallas
40.6 in
Dallas +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Dallas, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 65.9°F | Chattanooga + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5 in | 40.6 in | Dallas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
8.9 µg/m³
Chattanooga +
Dallas
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chattanooga
75.0%
Chattanooga +
Dallas
55.0%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Dallas, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Chattanooga + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Chattanooga + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chattanooga
20.3 min
Chattanooga +
Dallas
28.3 min
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Dallas, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 28.3 min | Chattanooga + |
Which City is Right for You?
Dallas leads in median household income at $67,760, while dallas offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $311,957. On public safety, Dallas is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Chattanooga. Dallas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Chattanooga has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chattanooga scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.3%.
Compare More Cities
Chattanooga, TN vs New York, NYChattanooga, TN vs Los Angeles, CAChattanooga, TN vs Chicago, ILChattanooga, TN vs Houston, TXChattanooga, TN vs Phoenix, AZChattanooga, TN vs Philadelphia, PA