Chattanooga TN vs Houston 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%
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chattanooga
182,832
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chattanooga
N/A
Houston
N/A
Median Age
Chattanooga
36.6
Houston
34.3
Houston +
Foreign Born
Chattanooga
7.7%
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
White
Chattanooga
58.4%
Chattanooga +
Houston
35.5%
Black
Chattanooga
28.6%
Chattanooga +
Houston
22.9%
Asian
Chattanooga
2.4%
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Hispanic
Chattanooga
9.3%
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Spanish at Home
Chattanooga
N/A
Houston
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 2,300,419 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 34.3 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 28.8% | Houston + |
| White | 58.4% | 35.5% | Chattanooga + |
| Black | 28.6% | 22.9% | Chattanooga + |
| Asian | 2.4% | 6.9% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 44.1% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chattanooga
$61,028
Houston
$62,894
Houston +
Per Capita Income
Chattanooga
$40,040
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chattanooga
$59,097
Houston
$63,758
Houston +
Unemployment Rate
Chattanooga
4.9%
Chattanooga +
Houston
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Chattanooga
17.6%
Chattanooga +
Houston
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chattanooga
35.5%
Houston
36.0%
Houston +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,028 | $62,894 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,040 | $41,142 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $63,758 | Houston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 6.7% | Chattanooga + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.6% | 19.7% | Chattanooga + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 36.0% | Houston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chattanooga
$322,291
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Homeownership Rate
Chattanooga
53.1%
Chattanooga +
Houston
42.0%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $322,291 | $265,062 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 42.0% | Chattanooga + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
639
Houston
442
Houston +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
2350
Houston
2339
Houston +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 442 | Houston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2339 | Houston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
36.3%
Chattanooga +
Houston
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
13.9%
Houston
13.9%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chattanooga
19.2%
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
12.7%
Chattanooga +
Houston
24.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
14.2%
Chattanooga +
Houston
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
16.7%
Houston
13.6%
Houston +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 38.0% | Chattanooga + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 13.9% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 17.1% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 24.0% | Chattanooga + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 16.7% | Chattanooga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 13.6% | Houston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Houston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
52.5 in
Houston
48.7 in
Houston +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5 in | 48.7 in | Houston + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
8.9 µg/m³
Chattanooga +
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chattanooga
75.0%
Chattanooga +
Houston
55.0%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Houston, 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 +
Houston
29.6 min
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 29.6 min | Chattanooga + |
Which City is Right for You?
Houston leads in median household income at $62,894, while houston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,062. On public safety, Houston 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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