Berkeley CA vs Chattanooga TN — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Berkeley, CA
California · Population: 120,223
- Median HH Income$108,558
- Median Home Price$1,451,222
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+75.0%
Chattanooga, TN
Tennessee · Population: 182,832
- Median HH Income$61,028
- Median Home Price$322,291
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+35.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Berkeley
120,223
Chattanooga
182,832
Chattanooga +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Berkeley
N/A
Chattanooga
N/A
Median Age
Berkeley
32.9
Berkeley +
Chattanooga
36.6
Foreign Born
Berkeley
21.3%
Berkeley +
Chattanooga
7.7%
White
Berkeley
54.8%
Chattanooga
58.4%
Chattanooga +
Black
Berkeley
7.4%
Chattanooga
28.6%
Chattanooga +
Asian
Berkeley
20.7%
Berkeley +
Chattanooga
2.4%
Hispanic
Berkeley
12.1%
Berkeley +
Chattanooga
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Berkeley
N/A
Chattanooga
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 182,832 | Chattanooga + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 36.6 | Berkeley + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 7.7% | Berkeley + |
| White | 54.8% | 58.4% | Chattanooga + |
| Black | 7.4% | 28.6% | Chattanooga + |
| Asian | 20.7% | 2.4% | Berkeley + |
| Hispanic | 12.1% | 9.3% | Berkeley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Berkeley
$108,558
Berkeley +
Chattanooga
$61,028
Per Capita Income
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
Chattanooga
$40,040
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Berkeley
$77,230
Berkeley +
Chattanooga
$59,097
Unemployment Rate
Berkeley
6.0%
Chattanooga
4.9%
Chattanooga +
Poverty Rate
Berkeley
16.8%
Berkeley +
Chattanooga
17.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Chattanooga
35.5%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,558 | $61,028 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Income | $66,936 | $40,040 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,097 | Berkeley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.9% | Chattanooga + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 17.6% | Berkeley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 75.0% | 35.5% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Chattanooga
$322,291
Chattanooga +
Homeownership Rate
Berkeley
43.3%
Chattanooga
53.1%
Chattanooga +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,451,222 | $322,291 | Chattanooga + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 53.1% | Chattanooga + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
503
Berkeley +
Chattanooga
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
2388
Chattanooga
2350
Chattanooga +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 639 | Berkeley + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2350 | Chattanooga + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
22.2%
Berkeley +
Chattanooga
36.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Chattanooga
13.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Berkeley
18.1%
Berkeley +
Chattanooga
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
6.1%
Berkeley +
Chattanooga
12.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
18.1%
Chattanooga
14.2%
Chattanooga +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
8.0%
Berkeley +
Chattanooga
16.7%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 36.3% | Berkeley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 13.9% | Berkeley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 19.2% | Berkeley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 12.7% | Berkeley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 14.2% | Chattanooga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 16.7% | Berkeley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
58.1°F
Berkeley +
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
26.7 in
Berkeley +
Chattanooga
52.5 in
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1°F | 60.9°F | Berkeley + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | 52.5 in | Berkeley + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Berkeley +
Chattanooga
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Berkeley
75.0%
Chattanooga
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Berkeley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Berkeley
32.2 min
Chattanooga
20.3 min
Chattanooga +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.2 min | 20.3 min | Chattanooga + |
Which City is Right for You?
Berkeley leads in median household income at $108,558, while chattanooga offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $322,291. On public safety, Berkeley is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Chattanooga. Chattanooga has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Berkeley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Berkeley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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