Chattanooga TN vs Las Vegas 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%
Las Vegas, NV
Nevada · Population: 650,873
- Median HH Income$70,723
- Median Home Price$426,069
- Unemployment7.2%
- Bachelor's+27.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chattanooga
182,832
Las Vegas
650,873
Las Vegas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chattanooga
N/A
Las Vegas
N/A
Median Age
Chattanooga
36.6
Chattanooga +
Las Vegas
38.5
Foreign Born
Chattanooga
7.7%
Las Vegas
20.9%
Las Vegas +
White
Chattanooga
58.4%
Chattanooga +
Las Vegas
49.2%
Black
Chattanooga
28.6%
Chattanooga +
Las Vegas
11.9%
Asian
Chattanooga
2.4%
Las Vegas
6.9%
Las Vegas +
Hispanic
Chattanooga
9.3%
Las Vegas
34.1%
Las Vegas +
Spanish at Home
Chattanooga
N/A
Las Vegas
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 650,873 | Las Vegas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 38.5 | Chattanooga + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 20.9% | Las Vegas + |
| White | 58.4% | 49.2% | Chattanooga + |
| Black | 28.6% | 11.9% | Chattanooga + |
| Asian | 2.4% | 6.9% | Las Vegas + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 34.1% | Las Vegas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chattanooga
$61,028
Las Vegas
$70,723
Las Vegas +
Per Capita Income
Chattanooga
$40,040
Chattanooga +
Las Vegas
$38,421
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chattanooga
$59,097
Las Vegas
$62,696
Las Vegas +
Unemployment Rate
Chattanooga
4.9%
Chattanooga +
Las Vegas
7.2%
Poverty Rate
Chattanooga
17.6%
Las Vegas
14.2%
Las Vegas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chattanooga
35.5%
Chattanooga +
Las Vegas
27.3%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,028 | $70,723 | Las Vegas + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,040 | $38,421 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $62,696 | Las Vegas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 7.2% | Chattanooga + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.6% | 14.2% | Las Vegas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 27.3% | Chattanooga + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chattanooga
$322,291
Chattanooga +
Las Vegas
$426,069
Homeownership Rate
Chattanooga
53.1%
Las Vegas
55.7%
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $322,291 | $426,069 | Chattanooga + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 55.7% | Las Vegas + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
639
Las Vegas
460
Las Vegas +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
2350
Chattanooga +
Las Vegas
2417
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 460 | Las Vegas + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2417 | Chattanooga + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
36.3%
Las Vegas
32.4%
Las Vegas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
13.9%
Las Vegas
12.5%
Las Vegas +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chattanooga
19.2%
Chattanooga +
Las Vegas
19.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
12.7%
Chattanooga +
Las Vegas
17.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
14.2%
Chattanooga +
Las Vegas
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
16.7%
Las Vegas
15.6%
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 32.4% | Las Vegas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 12.5% | Las Vegas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 19.5% | Chattanooga + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 17.0% | Chattanooga + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 15.4% | Chattanooga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.6% | Las Vegas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Chattanooga +
Las Vegas
67.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
52.5 in
Las Vegas
5.1 in
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 67.4°F | Chattanooga + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5 in | 5.1 in | Las Vegas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
8.9 µg/m³
Las Vegas
5.2 µg/m³
Las Vegas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chattanooga
75.0%
Las Vegas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Las Vegas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chattanooga
20.3 min
Chattanooga +
Las Vegas
27.7 min
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 27.7 min | Chattanooga + |
Which City is Right for You?
Las Vegas leads in median household income at $70,723, while chattanooga offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $322,291. On public safety, Las Vegas 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 Las Vegas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Las Vegas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.4%.
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