Austin, TX vs Chattanooga, TN
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Austin
68.3
#1322 nationally
Chattanooga
69
#1258 nationally
Austin leads in median household income ($91,461 vs $52,891). Chattanooga leads in cost of living index (88 vs 129). Austin leads in school rating (7.2 vs 5.4).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Austin, TX | Chattanooga, TN |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 68.3 (#1322) | 69 (#1258) |
| Population | 967,862 | 184,119 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $504,148 | $322,295 |
| Median Household Income | $91,461 | $52,891 |
| Average Commute | 26.8 min | 21.8 min |
| Walk Score | 42 | 32 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | Moderate-High |
| School Rating | 7.2 | 5.4 |
| Cost of Living Index | 129 | 88 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+39.3 | R+13.1 |
D+
68.3 Score
Austin, TX
Live music capital meets tech innovation
Median Home
$504,148
Population
967,862
Crime
Moderate
Schools
B
Southwest
View Austin, TX →
D+
69 Score
Chattanooga, TN
Scenic City with gigabit fiber
Median Home
$322,295
Population
184,119
Crime
Moderate-High
Schools
C
Southeast
View Chattanooga, TN →