Chattanooga TN vs Inglewood 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%
Inglewood, CA
California · Population: 90,669
- Median HH Income$78,709
- Median Home Price$761,870
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+21.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chattanooga
182,832
Chattanooga +
Inglewood
90,669
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chattanooga
N/A
Inglewood
N/A
Median Age
Chattanooga
36.6
Chattanooga +
Inglewood
38.2
Foreign Born
Chattanooga
7.7%
Inglewood
25.3%
Inglewood +
White
Chattanooga
58.4%
Chattanooga +
Inglewood
36.5%
Black
Chattanooga
28.6%
Chattanooga +
Inglewood
3.4%
Asian
Chattanooga
2.4%
Inglewood
2.7%
Inglewood +
Hispanic
Chattanooga
9.3%
Inglewood
68.9%
Inglewood +
Spanish at Home
Chattanooga
N/A
Inglewood
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Inglewood, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 90,669 | Chattanooga + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 38.2 | Chattanooga + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 25.3% | Inglewood + |
| White | 58.4% | 36.5% | Chattanooga + |
| Black | 28.6% | 3.4% | Chattanooga + |
| Asian | 2.4% | 2.7% | Inglewood + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 68.9% | Inglewood + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chattanooga
$61,028
Inglewood
$78,709
Inglewood +
Per Capita Income
Chattanooga
$40,040
Chattanooga +
Inglewood
$35,231
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chattanooga
$59,097
Inglewood
$77,230
Inglewood +
Unemployment Rate
Chattanooga
4.9%
Inglewood
4.6%
Inglewood +
Poverty Rate
Chattanooga
17.6%
Inglewood
11.6%
Inglewood +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chattanooga
35.5%
Chattanooga +
Inglewood
21.1%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Inglewood, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,028 | $78,709 | Inglewood + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,040 | $35,231 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $77,230 | Inglewood + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.6% | Inglewood + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.6% | 11.6% | Inglewood + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 21.1% | Chattanooga + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chattanooga
$322,291
Chattanooga +
Inglewood
$761,870
Homeownership Rate
Chattanooga
53.1%
Inglewood
68.3%
Inglewood +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Inglewood, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $322,291 | $761,870 | Chattanooga + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 68.3% | Inglewood + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
639
Inglewood
503
Inglewood +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
2350
Chattanooga +
Inglewood
2388
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Inglewood, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 503 | Inglewood + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2388 | Chattanooga + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
36.3%
Inglewood
32.6%
Inglewood +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
13.9%
Chattanooga +
Inglewood
14.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chattanooga
19.2%
Inglewood
18.2%
Inglewood +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
12.7%
Chattanooga +
Inglewood
14.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
14.2%
Inglewood
14.2%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
16.7%
Inglewood
12.7%
Inglewood +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Inglewood, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 32.6% | Inglewood + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 14.5% | Chattanooga + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 18.2% | Inglewood + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 14.4% | Chattanooga + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 14.2% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 12.7% | Inglewood + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Inglewood
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
52.5 in
Inglewood
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Inglewood, 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
Inglewood
7.9 µg/m³
Inglewood +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chattanooga
75.0%
Inglewood
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Inglewood, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Inglewood + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chattanooga
20.3 min
Chattanooga +
Inglewood
24.0 min
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Inglewood, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 24.0 min | Chattanooga + |
Which City is Right for You?
Inglewood leads in median household income at $78,709, while chattanooga offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $322,291. On public safety, Inglewood is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Chattanooga. Inglewood has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Inglewood has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Inglewood scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
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