Chattanooga TN vs New Braunfels 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%
New Braunfels, TX
Texas · Population: 267
- Median HH Income$74,643
- Median Home Price$352,129
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+1.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chattanooga
182,832
Chattanooga +
New Braunfels
267
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chattanooga
N/A
New Braunfels
N/A
Median Age
Chattanooga
36.6
Chattanooga +
New Braunfels
39.4
Foreign Born
Chattanooga
7.7%
New Braunfels
8.2%
New Braunfels +
White
Chattanooga
58.4%
New Braunfels
84.3%
New Braunfels +
Black
Chattanooga
28.6%
Chattanooga +
New Braunfels
0.0%
Asian
Chattanooga
2.4%
Chattanooga +
New Braunfels
0.0%
Hispanic
Chattanooga
9.3%
New Braunfels
15.7%
New Braunfels +
Spanish at Home
Chattanooga
N/A
New Braunfels
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 267 | Chattanooga + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 39.4 | Chattanooga + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 8.2% | New Braunfels + |
| White | 58.4% | 84.3% | New Braunfels + |
| Black | 28.6% | 0.0% | Chattanooga + |
| Asian | 2.4% | 0.0% | Chattanooga + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 15.7% | New Braunfels + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chattanooga
$61,028
New Braunfels
$74,643
New Braunfels +
Per Capita Income
Chattanooga
$40,040
Chattanooga +
New Braunfels
$21,360
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chattanooga
$59,097
New Braunfels
$63,758
New Braunfels +
Unemployment Rate
Chattanooga
4.9%
New Braunfels
N/A
Poverty Rate
Chattanooga
17.6%
New Braunfels
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Chattanooga
35.5%
Chattanooga +
New Braunfels
1.8%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,028 | $74,643 | New Braunfels + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,040 | $21,360 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $63,758 | New Braunfels + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 17.6% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 1.8% | Chattanooga + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chattanooga
$322,291
Chattanooga +
New Braunfels
$352,129
Homeownership Rate
Chattanooga
53.1%
New Braunfels
90.8%
New Braunfels +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $322,291 | $352,129 | Chattanooga + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 90.8% | New Braunfels + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
639
New Braunfels
442
New Braunfels +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
2350
New Braunfels
2339
New Braunfels +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 442 | New Braunfels + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2339 | New Braunfels + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
36.3%
New Braunfels
34.6%
New Braunfels +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
13.9%
New Braunfels
10.6%
New Braunfels +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chattanooga
19.2%
New Braunfels
16.0%
New Braunfels +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
12.7%
Chattanooga +
New Braunfels
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
14.2%
Chattanooga +
New Braunfels
19.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
16.7%
New Braunfels
11.0%
New Braunfels +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 34.6% | New Braunfels + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 10.6% | New Braunfels + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 16.0% | New Braunfels + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 15.2% | Chattanooga + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 19.1% | Chattanooga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 11.0% | New Braunfels + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Chattanooga +
New Braunfels
67.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
52.5 in
New Braunfels
34.0 in
New Braunfels +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 67.4°F | Chattanooga + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5 in | 34.0 in | New Braunfels + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
8.9 µg/m³
Chattanooga +
New Braunfels
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chattanooga
75.0%
Chattanooga +
New Braunfels
55.0%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | New Braunfels, 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
New Braunfels
19.6 min
New Braunfels +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 19.6 min | New Braunfels + |
Which City is Right for You?
New Braunfels leads in median household income at $74,643, while chattanooga offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $322,291. On public safety, New Braunfels is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Chattanooga. Chattanooga has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Braunfels scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.6%.
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