Chattanooga TN vs El Paso 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%
El Paso, TX
Texas · Population: 678,147
- Median HH Income$58,734
- Median Home Price$235,994
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+27.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chattanooga
182,832
El Paso
678,147
El Paso +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chattanooga
N/A
El Paso
N/A
Median Age
Chattanooga
36.6
El Paso
34.1
El Paso +
Foreign Born
Chattanooga
7.7%
El Paso
22.3%
El Paso +
White
Chattanooga
58.4%
Chattanooga +
El Paso
39.3%
Black
Chattanooga
28.6%
Chattanooga +
El Paso
3.6%
Asian
Chattanooga
2.4%
Chattanooga +
El Paso
1.5%
Hispanic
Chattanooga
9.3%
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Spanish at Home
Chattanooga
N/A
El Paso
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 678,147 | El Paso + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 34.1 | El Paso + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 22.3% | El Paso + |
| White | 58.4% | 39.3% | Chattanooga + |
| Black | 28.6% | 3.6% | Chattanooga + |
| Asian | 2.4% | 1.5% | Chattanooga + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 81.3% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chattanooga
$61,028
Chattanooga +
El Paso
$58,734
Per Capita Income
Chattanooga
$40,040
Chattanooga +
El Paso
$28,942
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chattanooga
$59,097
El Paso
$63,758
El Paso +
Unemployment Rate
Chattanooga
4.9%
Chattanooga +
El Paso
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Chattanooga
17.6%
Chattanooga +
El Paso
18.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chattanooga
35.5%
Chattanooga +
El Paso
27.5%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,028 | $58,734 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,040 | $28,942 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $63,758 | El Paso + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 6.2% | Chattanooga + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.6% | 18.4% | Chattanooga + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 27.5% | Chattanooga + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chattanooga
$322,291
El Paso
$235,994
El Paso +
Homeownership Rate
Chattanooga
53.1%
El Paso
60.2%
El Paso +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $322,291 | $235,994 | El Paso + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 60.2% | El Paso + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
639
El Paso
442
El Paso +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
2350
El Paso
2339
El Paso +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 442 | El Paso + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2339 | El Paso + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
36.3%
El Paso
33.8%
El Paso +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
13.9%
Chattanooga +
El Paso
16.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chattanooga
19.2%
El Paso
17.2%
El Paso +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
12.7%
Chattanooga +
El Paso
27.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
14.2%
Chattanooga +
El Paso
16.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
16.7%
El Paso
12.2%
El Paso +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 33.8% | El Paso + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 16.4% | Chattanooga + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 17.2% | El Paso + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 27.9% | Chattanooga + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 16.5% | Chattanooga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 12.2% | El Paso + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Chattanooga +
El Paso
64.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
52.5 in
El Paso
10.5 in
El Paso +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 64.3°F | Chattanooga + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5 in | 10.5 in | El Paso + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
8.9 µg/m³
Chattanooga +
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chattanooga
75.0%
Chattanooga +
El Paso
55.0%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | El Paso, 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 +
El Paso
25.1 min
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 25.1 min | Chattanooga + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chattanooga leads in median household income at $61,028, while el Paso offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $235,994. On public safety, El Paso 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, El Paso scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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