Chattanooga TN vs Grand Prairie 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%
Grand Prairie, TX
Texas · Population: 198,564
- Median HH Income$78,889
- Median Home Price$318,759
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+29.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chattanooga
182,832
Grand Prairie
198,564
Grand Prairie +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chattanooga
N/A
Grand Prairie
N/A
Median Age
Chattanooga
36.6
Grand Prairie
33.5
Grand Prairie +
Foreign Born
Chattanooga
7.7%
Grand Prairie
23.7%
Grand Prairie +
White
Chattanooga
58.4%
Chattanooga +
Grand Prairie
32.9%
Black
Chattanooga
28.6%
Chattanooga +
Grand Prairie
24.6%
Asian
Chattanooga
2.4%
Grand Prairie
6.5%
Grand Prairie +
Hispanic
Chattanooga
9.3%
Grand Prairie
47.2%
Grand Prairie +
Spanish at Home
Chattanooga
N/A
Grand Prairie
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Grand Prairie, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 198,564 | Grand Prairie + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 33.5 | Grand Prairie + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 23.7% | Grand Prairie + |
| White | 58.4% | 32.9% | Chattanooga + |
| Black | 28.6% | 24.6% | Chattanooga + |
| Asian | 2.4% | 6.5% | Grand Prairie + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 47.2% | Grand Prairie + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chattanooga
$61,028
Grand Prairie
$78,889
Grand Prairie +
Per Capita Income
Chattanooga
$40,040
Chattanooga +
Grand Prairie
$34,348
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chattanooga
$59,097
Grand Prairie
$63,758
Grand Prairie +
Unemployment Rate
Chattanooga
4.9%
Chattanooga +
Grand Prairie
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Chattanooga
17.6%
Grand Prairie
12.0%
Grand Prairie +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chattanooga
35.5%
Chattanooga +
Grand Prairie
29.0%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Grand Prairie, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,028 | $78,889 | Grand Prairie + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,040 | $34,348 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $63,758 | Grand Prairie + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.1% | Chattanooga + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.6% | 12.0% | Grand Prairie + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 29.0% | Chattanooga + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chattanooga
$322,291
Grand Prairie
$318,759
Grand Prairie +
Homeownership Rate
Chattanooga
53.1%
Grand Prairie
57.9%
Grand Prairie +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Grand Prairie, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $322,291 | $318,759 | Grand Prairie + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 57.9% | Grand Prairie + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
639
Grand Prairie
442
Grand Prairie +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
2350
Grand Prairie
2339
Grand Prairie +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Grand Prairie, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 442 | Grand Prairie + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2339 | Grand Prairie + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
36.3%
Grand Prairie
35.8%
Grand Prairie +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
13.9%
Grand Prairie
12.5%
Grand Prairie +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chattanooga
19.2%
Grand Prairie
17.6%
Grand Prairie +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
12.7%
Chattanooga +
Grand Prairie
22.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
14.2%
Chattanooga +
Grand Prairie
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
16.7%
Grand Prairie
12.9%
Grand Prairie +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Grand Prairie, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 35.8% | Grand Prairie + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 12.5% | Grand Prairie + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 17.6% | Grand Prairie + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 22.3% | Chattanooga + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 16.4% | Chattanooga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 12.9% | Grand Prairie + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Grand Prairie
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
52.5 in
Grand Prairie
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Grand Prairie, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
8.9 µg/m³
Chattanooga +
Grand Prairie
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chattanooga
75.0%
Chattanooga +
Grand Prairie
55.0%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Grand Prairie, 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 +
Grand Prairie
30.5 min
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Grand Prairie, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 30.5 min | Chattanooga + |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Prairie leads in median household income at $78,889, while grand Prairie offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $318,759. On public safety, Grand Prairie 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, Grand Prairie scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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