Chattanooga TN vs Livonia MI — 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%
Livonia, MI
Michigan · Population: 94,058
- Median HH Income$96,317
- Median Home Price$314,705
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+40.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chattanooga
182,832
Chattanooga +
Livonia
94,058
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chattanooga
N/A
Livonia
N/A
Median Age
Chattanooga
36.6
Chattanooga +
Livonia
45.1
Foreign Born
Chattanooga
7.7%
Livonia
8.2%
Livonia +
White
Chattanooga
58.4%
Livonia
84.4%
Livonia +
Black
Chattanooga
28.6%
Chattanooga +
Livonia
4.4%
Asian
Chattanooga
2.4%
Livonia
3.7%
Livonia +
Hispanic
Chattanooga
9.3%
Chattanooga +
Livonia
4.5%
Spanish at Home
Chattanooga
N/A
Livonia
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Livonia, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 94,058 | Chattanooga + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 45.1 | Chattanooga + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 8.2% | Livonia + |
| White | 58.4% | 84.4% | Livonia + |
| Black | 28.6% | 4.4% | Chattanooga + |
| Asian | 2.4% | 3.7% | Livonia + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 4.5% | Chattanooga + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chattanooga
$61,028
Livonia
$96,317
Livonia +
Per Capita Income
Chattanooga
$40,040
Livonia
$46,588
Livonia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chattanooga
$59,097
Chattanooga +
Livonia
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Chattanooga
4.9%
Livonia
4.5%
Livonia +
Poverty Rate
Chattanooga
17.6%
Livonia
4.7%
Livonia +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chattanooga
35.5%
Livonia
40.5%
Livonia +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Livonia, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,028 | $96,317 | Livonia + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,040 | $46,588 | Livonia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $58,052 | Chattanooga + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.5% | Livonia + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.6% | 4.7% | Livonia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 40.5% | Livonia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chattanooga
$322,291
Livonia
$314,705
Livonia +
Homeownership Rate
Chattanooga
53.1%
Livonia
87.5%
Livonia +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Livonia, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $322,291 | $314,705 | Livonia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 87.5% | Livonia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
639
Livonia
471
Livonia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
2350
Livonia
1590
Livonia +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Livonia, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 471 | Livonia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1590 | Livonia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
36.3%
Livonia
29.2%
Livonia +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
13.9%
Livonia
9.9%
Livonia +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chattanooga
19.2%
Livonia
16.2%
Livonia +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
12.7%
Livonia
4.7%
Livonia +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
14.2%
Chattanooga +
Livonia
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
16.7%
Livonia
11.3%
Livonia +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Livonia, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 29.2% | Livonia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 9.9% | Livonia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 16.2% | Livonia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 4.7% | Livonia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 16.8% | Chattanooga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 11.3% | Livonia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Livonia
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
52.5 in
Livonia
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Livonia, MI | 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
Chattanooga +
Livonia
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chattanooga
75.0%
Chattanooga +
Livonia
55.0%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Livonia, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Chattanooga + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Chattanooga + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chattanooga
20.3 min
Chattanooga +
Livonia
25.8 min
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Livonia, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 25.8 min | Chattanooga + |
Which City is Right for You?
Livonia leads in median household income at $96,317, while livonia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $314,705. On public safety, Livonia is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Chattanooga. Livonia has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Chattanooga has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Livonia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.2%.
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