Chattanooga TN vs Downey 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%
Downey, CA
California · Population: 114,617
- Median HH Income$68,378
- Median Home Price$888,820
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+10.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chattanooga
182,832
Chattanooga +
Downey
114,617
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chattanooga
N/A
Downey
N/A
Median Age
Chattanooga
36.6
Downey
34.0
Downey +
Foreign Born
Chattanooga
7.7%
Downey
39.4%
Downey +
White
Chattanooga
58.4%
Chattanooga +
Downey
21.0%
Black
Chattanooga
28.6%
Chattanooga +
Downey
0.4%
Asian
Chattanooga
2.4%
Chattanooga +
Downey
1.5%
Hispanic
Chattanooga
9.3%
Downey
95.6%
Downey +
Spanish at Home
Chattanooga
N/A
Downey
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 114,617 | Chattanooga + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 34.0 | Downey + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 39.4% | Downey + |
| White | 58.4% | 21.0% | Chattanooga + |
| Black | 28.6% | 0.4% | Chattanooga + |
| Asian | 2.4% | 1.5% | Chattanooga + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 95.6% | Downey + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chattanooga
$61,028
Downey
$68,378
Downey +
Per Capita Income
Chattanooga
$40,040
Chattanooga +
Downey
$23,265
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chattanooga
$59,097
Downey
$77,230
Downey +
Unemployment Rate
Chattanooga
4.9%
Chattanooga +
Downey
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Chattanooga
17.6%
Downey
16.6%
Downey +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chattanooga
35.5%
Chattanooga +
Downey
10.6%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,028 | $68,378 | Downey + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,040 | $23,265 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $77,230 | Downey + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 6.0% | Chattanooga + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.6% | 16.6% | Downey + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 10.6% | Chattanooga + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chattanooga
$322,291
Chattanooga +
Downey
$888,820
Homeownership Rate
Chattanooga
53.1%
Chattanooga +
Downey
33.7%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $322,291 | $888,820 | Chattanooga + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 33.7% | Chattanooga + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
639
Downey
503
Downey +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
2350
Chattanooga +
Downey
2388
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 503 | Downey + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2388 | Chattanooga + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
36.3%
Downey
27.6%
Downey +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
13.9%
Downey
11.8%
Downey +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chattanooga
19.2%
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
12.7%
Chattanooga +
Downey
14.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
14.2%
Chattanooga +
Downey
16.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
16.7%
Downey
9.9%
Downey +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 27.6% | Downey + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 11.8% | Downey + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 16.1% | Downey + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 14.8% | Chattanooga + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 16.1% | Chattanooga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 9.9% | Downey + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Downey
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
52.5 in
Downey
14.3 in
Downey +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5 in | 14.3 in | Downey + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
8.9 µg/m³
Downey
7.9 µg/m³
Downey +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chattanooga
75.0%
Downey
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Downey + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chattanooga
20.3 min
Chattanooga +
Downey
33.1 min
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 33.1 min | Chattanooga + |
Which City is Right for You?
Downey leads in median household income at $68,378, while chattanooga offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $322,291. On public safety, Downey 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 Downey has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Downey scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.6%.
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