Chattanooga TN vs Fort Worth 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%
Fort Worth, TX
Texas · Population: 941,311
- Median HH Income$76,602
- Median Home Price$299,655
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+31.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chattanooga
182,832
Fort Worth
941,311
Fort Worth +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chattanooga
N/A
Fort Worth
N/A
Median Age
Chattanooga
36.6
Fort Worth
33.4
Fort Worth +
Foreign Born
Chattanooga
7.7%
Fort Worth
17.0%
Fort Worth +
White
Chattanooga
58.4%
Chattanooga +
Fort Worth
47.7%
Black
Chattanooga
28.6%
Chattanooga +
Fort Worth
19.5%
Asian
Chattanooga
2.4%
Fort Worth
5.2%
Fort Worth +
Hispanic
Chattanooga
9.3%
Fort Worth
34.6%
Fort Worth +
Spanish at Home
Chattanooga
N/A
Fort Worth
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Fort Worth, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 941,311 | Fort Worth + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 33.4 | Fort Worth + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 17.0% | Fort Worth + |
| White | 58.4% | 47.7% | Chattanooga + |
| Black | 28.6% | 19.5% | Chattanooga + |
| Asian | 2.4% | 5.2% | Fort Worth + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 34.6% | Fort Worth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chattanooga
$61,028
Fort Worth
$76,602
Fort Worth +
Per Capita Income
Chattanooga
$40,040
Chattanooga +
Fort Worth
$37,157
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chattanooga
$59,097
Fort Worth
$63,758
Fort Worth +
Unemployment Rate
Chattanooga
4.9%
Fort Worth
4.9%
Fort Worth +
Poverty Rate
Chattanooga
17.6%
Fort Worth
12.9%
Fort Worth +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chattanooga
35.5%
Chattanooga +
Fort Worth
31.7%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Fort Worth, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,028 | $76,602 | Fort Worth + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,040 | $37,157 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $63,758 | Fort Worth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.9% | Fort Worth + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.6% | 12.9% | Fort Worth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 31.7% | Chattanooga + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chattanooga
$322,291
Fort Worth
$299,655
Fort Worth +
Homeownership Rate
Chattanooga
53.1%
Fort Worth
56.8%
Fort Worth +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Fort Worth, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $322,291 | $299,655 | Fort Worth + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 56.8% | Fort Worth + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
639
Fort Worth
442
Fort Worth +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
2350
Fort Worth
2339
Fort Worth +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Fort Worth, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 442 | Fort Worth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2339 | Fort Worth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
36.3%
Fort Worth
34.6%
Fort Worth +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
13.9%
Fort Worth
12.2%
Fort Worth +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chattanooga
19.2%
Fort Worth
18.5%
Fort Worth +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
12.7%
Chattanooga +
Fort Worth
20.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
14.2%
Chattanooga +
Fort Worth
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
16.7%
Fort Worth
13.8%
Fort Worth +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Fort Worth, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 34.6% | Fort Worth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 12.2% | Fort Worth + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 18.5% | Fort Worth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 20.0% | Chattanooga + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 16.9% | Chattanooga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 13.8% | Fort Worth + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Chattanooga +
Fort Worth
65.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
52.5 in
Fort Worth
37.8 in
Fort Worth +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Fort Worth, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 65.8°F | Chattanooga + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5 in | 37.8 in | Fort Worth + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
8.9 µg/m³
Chattanooga +
Fort Worth
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chattanooga
75.0%
Chattanooga +
Fort Worth
55.0%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Fort Worth, 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 +
Fort Worth
29.0 min
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Fort Worth, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 29.0 min | Chattanooga + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Worth leads in median household income at $76,602, while fort Worth offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $299,655. On public safety, Fort Worth is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Chattanooga. Fort Worth has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Chattanooga has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Worth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.6%.
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