Chattanooga TN vs Round Rock 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%
Round Rock, TX
Texas · Population: 124,288
- Median HH Income$97,187
- Median Home Price$411,570
- Unemployment3.6%
- Bachelor's+43.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chattanooga
182,832
Chattanooga +
Round Rock
124,288
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chattanooga
N/A
Round Rock
N/A
Median Age
Chattanooga
36.6
Round Rock
36.2
Round Rock +
Foreign Born
Chattanooga
7.7%
Round Rock
15.5%
Round Rock +
White
Chattanooga
58.4%
Chattanooga +
Round Rock
58.3%
Black
Chattanooga
28.6%
Chattanooga +
Round Rock
11.2%
Asian
Chattanooga
2.4%
Round Rock
7.3%
Round Rock +
Hispanic
Chattanooga
9.3%
Round Rock
29.1%
Round Rock +
Spanish at Home
Chattanooga
N/A
Round Rock
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 124,288 | Chattanooga + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 36.2 | Round Rock + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 15.5% | Round Rock + |
| White | 58.4% | 58.3% | Chattanooga + |
| Black | 28.6% | 11.2% | Chattanooga + |
| Asian | 2.4% | 7.3% | Round Rock + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 29.1% | Round Rock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chattanooga
$61,028
Round Rock
$97,187
Round Rock +
Per Capita Income
Chattanooga
$40,040
Round Rock
$47,829
Round Rock +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chattanooga
$59,097
Round Rock
$63,758
Round Rock +
Unemployment Rate
Chattanooga
4.9%
Round Rock
3.6%
Round Rock +
Poverty Rate
Chattanooga
17.6%
Round Rock
7.7%
Round Rock +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chattanooga
35.5%
Round Rock
43.6%
Round Rock +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,028 | $97,187 | Round Rock + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,040 | $47,829 | Round Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $63,758 | Round Rock + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 3.6% | Round Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.6% | 7.7% | Round Rock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 43.6% | Round Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chattanooga
$322,291
Chattanooga +
Round Rock
$411,570
Homeownership Rate
Chattanooga
53.1%
Round Rock
56.3%
Round Rock +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $322,291 | $411,570 | Chattanooga + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 56.3% | Round Rock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
639
Round Rock
442
Round Rock +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
2350
Round Rock
2339
Round Rock +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 442 | Round Rock + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2339 | Round Rock + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
36.3%
Round Rock
34.2%
Round Rock +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
13.9%
Round Rock
9.8%
Round Rock +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chattanooga
19.2%
Round Rock
16.6%
Round Rock +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
12.7%
Chattanooga +
Round Rock
14.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
14.2%
Chattanooga +
Round Rock
17.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
16.7%
Round Rock
10.6%
Round Rock +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 34.2% | Round Rock + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 9.8% | Round Rock + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 16.6% | Round Rock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 14.1% | Chattanooga + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 17.3% | Chattanooga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 10.6% | Round Rock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Round Rock
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
52.5 in
Round Rock
35.7 in
Round Rock +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5 in | 35.7 in | Round Rock + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
8.9 µg/m³
Chattanooga +
Round Rock
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chattanooga
75.0%
Chattanooga +
Round Rock
55.0%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Round Rock, 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 +
Round Rock
26.1 min
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 26.1 min | Chattanooga + |
Which City is Right for You?
Round Rock leads in median household income at $97,187, while chattanooga offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $322,291. On public safety, Round Rock is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Chattanooga. Round Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Chattanooga has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Round Rock scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.2%.
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