Chattanooga TN vs Fremont 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%
Fremont, CA
California · Population: 228,518
- Median HH Income$176,350
- Median Home Price$1,538,830
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+62.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chattanooga
182,832
Fremont
228,518
Fremont +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chattanooga
N/A
Fremont
N/A
Median Age
Chattanooga
36.6
Chattanooga +
Fremont
38.8
Foreign Born
Chattanooga
7.7%
Fremont
50.1%
Fremont +
White
Chattanooga
58.4%
Chattanooga +
Fremont
19.4%
Black
Chattanooga
28.6%
Chattanooga +
Fremont
2.9%
Asian
Chattanooga
2.4%
Fremont
62.5%
Fremont +
Hispanic
Chattanooga
9.3%
Fremont
12.9%
Fremont +
Spanish at Home
Chattanooga
N/A
Fremont
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 228,518 | Fremont + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 38.8 | Chattanooga + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 50.1% | Fremont + |
| White | 58.4% | 19.4% | Chattanooga + |
| Black | 28.6% | 2.9% | Chattanooga + |
| Asian | 2.4% | 62.5% | Fremont + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 12.9% | Fremont + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chattanooga
$61,028
Fremont
$176,350
Fremont +
Per Capita Income
Chattanooga
$40,040
Fremont
$73,378
Fremont +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chattanooga
$59,097
Fremont
$77,230
Fremont +
Unemployment Rate
Chattanooga
4.9%
Fremont
4.3%
Fremont +
Poverty Rate
Chattanooga
17.6%
Fremont
5.1%
Fremont +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chattanooga
35.5%
Fremont
62.7%
Fremont +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,028 | $176,350 | Fremont + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,040 | $73,378 | Fremont + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $77,230 | Fremont + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.3% | Fremont + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.6% | 5.1% | Fremont + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 62.7% | Fremont + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chattanooga
$322,291
Chattanooga +
Fremont
$1,538,830
Homeownership Rate
Chattanooga
53.1%
Fremont
60.2%
Fremont +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $322,291 | $1,538,830 | Chattanooga + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 60.2% | Fremont + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
639
Fremont
503
Fremont +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
2350
Chattanooga +
Fremont
2388
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 503 | Fremont + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2388 | Chattanooga + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
36.3%
Fremont
17.3%
Fremont +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
13.9%
Fremont
9.8%
Fremont +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chattanooga
19.2%
Fremont
12.7%
Fremont +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
12.7%
Fremont
4.9%
Fremont +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
14.2%
Fremont
13.9%
Fremont +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
16.7%
Fremont
7.3%
Fremont +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 17.3% | Fremont + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 9.8% | Fremont + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 12.7% | Fremont + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 4.9% | Fremont + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 13.9% | Fremont + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 7.3% | Fremont + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Fremont
59.6°F
Fremont +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
52.5 in
Fremont
16.7 in
Fremont +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 59.6°F | Fremont + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5 in | 16.7 in | Fremont + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
8.9 µg/m³
Fremont
7.9 µg/m³
Fremont +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chattanooga
75.0%
Fremont
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Fremont + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chattanooga
20.3 min
Chattanooga +
Fremont
33.9 min
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 33.9 min | Chattanooga + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fremont leads in median household income at $176,350, while chattanooga offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $322,291. On public safety, Fremont is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Chattanooga. Fremont has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Fremont has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fremont scores better with a lower obesity rate of 17.3%.
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