Chattanooga TN vs Costa Mesa CA — 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%
Costa Mesa, CA
California · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$1,416,645
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chattanooga
182,832
Costa Mesa
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chattanooga
N/A
Costa Mesa
N/A
Median Age
Chattanooga
36.6
Costa Mesa
N/A
Foreign Born
Chattanooga
7.7%
Costa Mesa
N/A
White
Chattanooga
58.4%
Costa Mesa
N/A
Black
Chattanooga
28.6%
Costa Mesa
N/A
Asian
Chattanooga
2.4%
Costa Mesa
N/A
Hispanic
Chattanooga
9.3%
Costa Mesa
N/A
Spanish at Home
Chattanooga
N/A
Costa Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Costa Mesa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | N/A | - |
| White | 58.4% | N/A | - |
| Black | 28.6% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 2.4% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chattanooga
$61,028
Costa Mesa
N/A
Per Capita Income
Chattanooga
$40,040
Costa Mesa
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chattanooga
$59,097
Costa Mesa
$77,230
Costa Mesa +
Unemployment Rate
Chattanooga
4.9%
Costa Mesa
N/A
Poverty Rate
Chattanooga
17.6%
Costa Mesa
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Chattanooga
35.5%
Costa Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Costa Mesa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,028 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $40,040 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $77,230 | Costa Mesa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 17.6% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chattanooga
$322,291
Chattanooga +
Costa Mesa
$1,416,645
Homeownership Rate
Chattanooga
53.1%
Costa Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Costa Mesa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $322,291 | $1,416,645 | Chattanooga + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
639
Costa Mesa
503
Costa Mesa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
2350
Chattanooga +
Costa Mesa
2388
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Costa Mesa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 503 | Costa Mesa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2388 | Chattanooga + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
36.3%
Costa Mesa
25.7%
Costa Mesa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
13.9%
Costa Mesa
9.3%
Costa Mesa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chattanooga
19.2%
Costa Mesa
17.9%
Costa Mesa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
12.7%
Costa Mesa
9.8%
Costa Mesa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
14.2%
Chattanooga +
Costa Mesa
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
16.7%
Costa Mesa
9.7%
Costa Mesa +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Costa Mesa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 25.7% | Costa Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 9.3% | Costa Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 17.9% | Costa Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 9.8% | Costa Mesa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 18.1% | Chattanooga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 9.7% | Costa Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Costa Mesa
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
52.5 in
Costa Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Costa Mesa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
8.9 µg/m³
Costa Mesa
7.9 µg/m³
Costa Mesa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chattanooga
75.0%
Costa Mesa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Costa Mesa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Costa Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chattanooga
20.3 min
Costa Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Costa Mesa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Chattanooga offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $322,291. On public safety, Costa Mesa is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Chattanooga. Costa Mesa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Costa Mesa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.7%.
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