Chattanooga TN vs Henderson NV — 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%
Henderson, NV
Nevada · Population: 324,523
- Median HH Income$88,654
- Median Home Price$487,098
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chattanooga
182,832
Henderson
324,523
Henderson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chattanooga
N/A
Henderson
N/A
Median Age
Chattanooga
36.6
Chattanooga +
Henderson
42.5
Foreign Born
Chattanooga
7.7%
Henderson
14.1%
Henderson +
White
Chattanooga
58.4%
Henderson
64.7%
Henderson +
Black
Chattanooga
28.6%
Chattanooga +
Henderson
6.2%
Asian
Chattanooga
2.4%
Henderson
9.5%
Henderson +
Hispanic
Chattanooga
9.3%
Henderson
18.3%
Henderson +
Spanish at Home
Chattanooga
N/A
Henderson
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Henderson, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 324,523 | Henderson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 42.5 | Chattanooga + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 14.1% | Henderson + |
| White | 58.4% | 64.7% | Henderson + |
| Black | 28.6% | 6.2% | Chattanooga + |
| Asian | 2.4% | 9.5% | Henderson + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 18.3% | Henderson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chattanooga
$61,028
Henderson
$88,654
Henderson +
Per Capita Income
Chattanooga
$40,040
Henderson
$49,141
Henderson +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chattanooga
$59,097
Henderson
$62,696
Henderson +
Unemployment Rate
Chattanooga
4.9%
Chattanooga +
Henderson
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Chattanooga
17.6%
Henderson
8.4%
Henderson +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chattanooga
35.5%
Henderson
36.8%
Henderson +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Henderson, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,028 | $88,654 | Henderson + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,040 | $49,141 | Henderson + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $62,696 | Henderson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 6.7% | Chattanooga + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.6% | 8.4% | Henderson + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 36.8% | Henderson + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chattanooga
$322,291
Chattanooga +
Henderson
$487,098
Homeownership Rate
Chattanooga
53.1%
Henderson
65.6%
Henderson +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Henderson, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $322,291 | $487,098 | Chattanooga + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 65.6% | Henderson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
639
Henderson
460
Henderson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
2350
Chattanooga +
Henderson
2417
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Henderson, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 460 | Henderson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2417 | Chattanooga + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
36.3%
Henderson
28.9%
Henderson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
13.9%
Henderson
10.9%
Henderson +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chattanooga
19.2%
Henderson
17.5%
Henderson +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
12.7%
Henderson
10.3%
Henderson +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
14.2%
Chattanooga +
Henderson
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
16.7%
Henderson
12.8%
Henderson +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Henderson, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 28.9% | Henderson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 10.9% | Henderson + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 17.5% | Henderson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 10.3% | Henderson + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 15.6% | Chattanooga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 12.8% | Henderson + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Henderson
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
52.5 in
Henderson
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Henderson, NV | 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
Henderson
5.2 µg/m³
Henderson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chattanooga
75.0%
Henderson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Henderson, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Henderson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chattanooga
20.3 min
Chattanooga +
Henderson
26.0 min
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Henderson, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 26.0 min | Chattanooga + |
Which City is Right for You?
Henderson leads in median household income at $88,654, while chattanooga offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $322,291. On public safety, Henderson is safer with a violent crime rate of 460 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Chattanooga. Chattanooga has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Henderson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Henderson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.9%.
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