Chattanooga TN vs San Antonio 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%
San Antonio, TX
Texas · Population: 1,458,954
- Median HH Income$62,917
- Median Home Price$251,035
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+28.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chattanooga
182,832
San Antonio
1,458,954
San Antonio +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chattanooga
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
Median Age
Chattanooga
36.6
San Antonio
34.6
San Antonio +
Foreign Born
Chattanooga
7.7%
San Antonio
14.3%
San Antonio +
White
Chattanooga
58.4%
Chattanooga +
San Antonio
48.3%
Black
Chattanooga
28.6%
Chattanooga +
San Antonio
7.0%
Asian
Chattanooga
2.4%
San Antonio
3.1%
San Antonio +
Hispanic
Chattanooga
9.3%
San Antonio
64.4%
San Antonio +
Spanish at Home
Chattanooga
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 1,458,954 | San Antonio + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 34.6 | San Antonio + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 14.3% | San Antonio + |
| White | 58.4% | 48.3% | Chattanooga + |
| Black | 28.6% | 7.0% | Chattanooga + |
| Asian | 2.4% | 3.1% | San Antonio + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 64.4% | San Antonio + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chattanooga
$61,028
San Antonio
$62,917
San Antonio +
Per Capita Income
Chattanooga
$40,040
Chattanooga +
San Antonio
$32,983
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chattanooga
$59,097
San Antonio
$63,758
San Antonio +
Unemployment Rate
Chattanooga
4.9%
Chattanooga +
San Antonio
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Chattanooga
17.6%
San Antonio
17.1%
San Antonio +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chattanooga
35.5%
Chattanooga +
San Antonio
28.7%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,028 | $62,917 | San Antonio + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,040 | $32,983 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $63,758 | San Antonio + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.8% | Chattanooga + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.6% | 17.1% | San Antonio + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 28.7% | Chattanooga + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chattanooga
$322,291
San Antonio
$251,035
San Antonio +
Homeownership Rate
Chattanooga
53.1%
Chattanooga +
San Antonio
52.4%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $322,291 | $251,035 | San Antonio + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 52.4% | Chattanooga + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
639
San Antonio
442
San Antonio +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
2350
San Antonio
2339
San Antonio +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 442 | San Antonio + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2339 | San Antonio + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
36.3%
San Antonio
34.9%
San Antonio +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
13.9%
Chattanooga +
San Antonio
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chattanooga
19.2%
San Antonio
17.2%
San Antonio +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
12.7%
Chattanooga +
San Antonio
24.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
14.2%
Chattanooga +
San Antonio
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
16.7%
San Antonio
13.0%
San Antonio +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 34.9% | San Antonio + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 15.2% | Chattanooga + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 17.2% | San Antonio + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 24.5% | Chattanooga + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 16.0% | Chattanooga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 13.0% | San Antonio + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Chattanooga +
San Antonio
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
52.5 in
San Antonio
34.9 in
San Antonio +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 68.5°F | Chattanooga + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5 in | 34.9 in | San Antonio + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
8.9 µg/m³
Chattanooga +
San Antonio
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chattanooga
75.0%
Chattanooga +
San Antonio
55.0%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | San Antonio, 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 +
San Antonio
26.5 min
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 26.5 min | Chattanooga + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Antonio leads in median household income at $62,917, while san Antonio offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $251,035. On public safety, San Antonio 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, San Antonio scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.9%.
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