Chattanooga TN vs San Marcos 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 Marcos, TX
Texas · Population: 99,507
- Median HH Income$64,146
- Median Home Price$313,452
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chattanooga
182,832
Chattanooga +
San Marcos
99,507
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chattanooga
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
Median Age
Chattanooga
36.6
San Marcos
35.2
San Marcos +
Foreign Born
Chattanooga
7.7%
Chattanooga +
San Marcos
5.8%
White
Chattanooga
58.4%
San Marcos
66.6%
San Marcos +
Black
Chattanooga
28.6%
Chattanooga +
San Marcos
4.3%
Asian
Chattanooga
2.4%
Chattanooga +
San Marcos
1.4%
Hispanic
Chattanooga
9.3%
San Marcos
42.2%
San Marcos +
Spanish at Home
Chattanooga
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 99,507 | Chattanooga + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 35.2 | San Marcos + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 5.8% | Chattanooga + |
| White | 58.4% | 66.6% | San Marcos + |
| Black | 28.6% | 4.3% | Chattanooga + |
| Asian | 2.4% | 1.4% | Chattanooga + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 42.2% | San Marcos + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chattanooga
$61,028
San Marcos
$64,146
San Marcos +
Per Capita Income
Chattanooga
$40,040
Chattanooga +
San Marcos
$33,835
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chattanooga
$59,097
San Marcos
$63,758
San Marcos +
Unemployment Rate
Chattanooga
4.9%
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Poverty Rate
Chattanooga
17.6%
San Marcos
11.9%
San Marcos +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chattanooga
35.5%
Chattanooga +
San Marcos
24.9%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,028 | $64,146 | San Marcos + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,040 | $33,835 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $63,758 | San Marcos + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 3.2% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.6% | 11.9% | San Marcos + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 24.9% | Chattanooga + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chattanooga
$322,291
San Marcos
$313,452
San Marcos +
Homeownership Rate
Chattanooga
53.1%
San Marcos
63.3%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $322,291 | $313,452 | San Marcos + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 63.3% | San Marcos + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
639
San Marcos
442
San Marcos +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
2350
San Marcos
2339
San Marcos +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 442 | San Marcos + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2339 | San Marcos + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
36.3%
San Marcos
33.6%
San Marcos +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
13.9%
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chattanooga
19.2%
Chattanooga +
San Marcos
22.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
12.7%
Chattanooga +
San Marcos
19.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
14.2%
Chattanooga +
San Marcos
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
16.7%
San Marcos
11.0%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 33.6% | San Marcos + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 7.9% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 22.3% | Chattanooga + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 19.7% | Chattanooga + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 19.7% | Chattanooga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 11.0% | San Marcos + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Chattanooga +
San Marcos
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
52.5 in
San Marcos
35.7 in
San Marcos +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 68.5°F | Chattanooga + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5 in | 35.7 in | San Marcos + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
8.9 µg/m³
Chattanooga +
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chattanooga
75.0%
Chattanooga +
San Marcos
55.0%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | San Marcos, 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
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 19.0 min | San Marcos + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Marcos leads in median household income at $64,146, while san Marcos offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,452. On public safety, San Marcos is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Chattanooga. San Marcos has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Chattanooga has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Marcos scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.6%.
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