Chattanooga TN vs Pasadena 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%
Pasadena, TX
Texas · Population: 125,983
- Median HH Income$112,470
- Median Home Price$218,978
- Unemployment3.1%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chattanooga
182,832
Chattanooga +
Pasadena
125,983
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chattanooga
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
Median Age
Chattanooga
36.6
Pasadena
36.5
Pasadena +
Foreign Born
Chattanooga
7.7%
Pasadena
19.3%
Pasadena +
White
Chattanooga
58.4%
Chattanooga +
Pasadena
45.5%
Black
Chattanooga
28.6%
Chattanooga +
Pasadena
18.1%
Asian
Chattanooga
2.4%
Pasadena
17.0%
Pasadena +
Hispanic
Chattanooga
9.3%
Pasadena
25.4%
Pasadena +
Spanish at Home
Chattanooga
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 125,983 | Chattanooga + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 36.5 | Pasadena + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 19.3% | Pasadena + |
| White | 58.4% | 45.5% | Chattanooga + |
| Black | 28.6% | 18.1% | Chattanooga + |
| Asian | 2.4% | 17.0% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 25.4% | Pasadena + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chattanooga
$61,028
Pasadena
$112,470
Pasadena +
Per Capita Income
Chattanooga
$40,040
Pasadena
$49,845
Pasadena +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chattanooga
$59,097
Pasadena
$63,758
Pasadena +
Unemployment Rate
Chattanooga
4.9%
Pasadena
3.1%
Pasadena +
Poverty Rate
Chattanooga
17.6%
Pasadena
4.2%
Pasadena +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chattanooga
35.5%
Pasadena
47.4%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,028 | $112,470 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,040 | $49,845 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $63,758 | Pasadena + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 3.1% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.6% | 4.2% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 47.4% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chattanooga
$322,291
Pasadena
$218,978
Pasadena +
Homeownership Rate
Chattanooga
53.1%
Pasadena
76.6%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $322,291 | $218,978 | Pasadena + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 76.6% | Pasadena + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
639
Pasadena
442
Pasadena +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
2350
Pasadena
2339
Pasadena +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 442 | Pasadena + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2339 | Pasadena + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
36.3%
Chattanooga +
Pasadena
39.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
13.9%
Chattanooga +
Pasadena
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chattanooga
19.2%
Pasadena
17.8%
Pasadena +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
12.7%
Chattanooga +
Pasadena
32.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
14.2%
Chattanooga +
Pasadena
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
16.7%
Pasadena
14.6%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 39.1% | Chattanooga + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 14.6% | Chattanooga + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 17.8% | Pasadena + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 32.1% | Chattanooga + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 17.1% | Chattanooga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.6% | Pasadena + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Pasadena
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
52.5 in
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Pasadena, 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 +
Pasadena
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chattanooga
75.0%
Chattanooga +
Pasadena
55.0%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Pasadena, 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 +
Pasadena
36.1 min
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 36.1 min | Chattanooga + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pasadena leads in median household income at $112,470, while pasadena offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $218,978. On public safety, Pasadena is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Chattanooga. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.1%, 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%.
Compare More Cities
Chattanooga, TN vs New York, NYChattanooga, TN vs Los Angeles, CAChattanooga, TN vs Chicago, ILChattanooga, TN vs Houston, TXChattanooga, TN vs Phoenix, AZChattanooga, TN vs Philadelphia, PA