Chattanooga TN vs Edinburg 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%
Edinburg, TX
Texas · Population: 102,561
- Median HH Income$57,789
- Median Home Price$217,077
- Unemployment6.6%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chattanooga
182,832
Chattanooga +
Edinburg
102,561
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chattanooga
N/A
Edinburg
N/A
Median Age
Chattanooga
36.6
Edinburg
29.9
Edinburg +
Foreign Born
Chattanooga
7.7%
Edinburg
19.5%
Edinburg +
White
Chattanooga
58.4%
Chattanooga +
Edinburg
39.9%
Black
Chattanooga
28.6%
Chattanooga +
Edinburg
1.9%
Asian
Chattanooga
2.4%
Edinburg
2.5%
Edinburg +
Hispanic
Chattanooga
9.3%
Edinburg
85.8%
Edinburg +
Spanish at Home
Chattanooga
N/A
Edinburg
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Edinburg, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 102,561 | Chattanooga + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 29.9 | Edinburg + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 19.5% | Edinburg + |
| White | 58.4% | 39.9% | Chattanooga + |
| Black | 28.6% | 1.9% | Chattanooga + |
| Asian | 2.4% | 2.5% | Edinburg + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 85.8% | Edinburg + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chattanooga
$61,028
Chattanooga +
Edinburg
$57,789
Per Capita Income
Chattanooga
$40,040
Chattanooga +
Edinburg
$27,278
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chattanooga
$59,097
Edinburg
$63,758
Edinburg +
Unemployment Rate
Chattanooga
4.9%
Chattanooga +
Edinburg
6.6%
Poverty Rate
Chattanooga
17.6%
Chattanooga +
Edinburg
25.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chattanooga
35.5%
Chattanooga +
Edinburg
28.9%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Edinburg, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,028 | $57,789 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,040 | $27,278 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $63,758 | Edinburg + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 6.6% | Chattanooga + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.6% | 25.7% | Chattanooga + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 28.9% | Chattanooga + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chattanooga
$322,291
Edinburg
$217,077
Edinburg +
Homeownership Rate
Chattanooga
53.1%
Chattanooga +
Edinburg
52.5%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Edinburg, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $322,291 | $217,077 | Edinburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 52.5% | Chattanooga + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
639
Edinburg
442
Edinburg +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
2350
Edinburg
2339
Edinburg +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Edinburg, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 442 | Edinburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2339 | Edinburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
36.3%
Chattanooga +
Edinburg
42.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
13.9%
Chattanooga +
Edinburg
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chattanooga
19.2%
Edinburg
17.9%
Edinburg +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
12.7%
Chattanooga +
Edinburg
32.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
14.2%
Chattanooga +
Edinburg
18.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
16.7%
Edinburg
11.7%
Edinburg +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Edinburg, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 42.5% | Chattanooga + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 14.4% | Chattanooga + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 17.9% | Edinburg + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 32.3% | Chattanooga + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 18.2% | Chattanooga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 11.7% | Edinburg + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Chattanooga +
Edinburg
74.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
52.5 in
Edinburg
24.1 in
Edinburg +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Edinburg, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 74.0°F | Chattanooga + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5 in | 24.1 in | Edinburg + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
8.9 µg/m³
Chattanooga +
Edinburg
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chattanooga
75.0%
Chattanooga +
Edinburg
55.0%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Edinburg, 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 +
Edinburg
22.3 min
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Edinburg, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 22.3 min | Chattanooga + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chattanooga leads in median household income at $61,028, while edinburg offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $217,077. On public safety, Edinburg 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, Chattanooga scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.3%.
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