Chattanooga TN vs Modesto 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%
Modesto, CA
California · Population: 218,614
- Median HH Income$77,899
- Median Home Price$447,353
- Unemployment7.3%
- Bachelor's+20.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chattanooga
182,832
Modesto
218,614
Modesto +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chattanooga
N/A
Modesto
N/A
Median Age
Chattanooga
36.6
Modesto
35.4
Modesto +
Foreign Born
Chattanooga
7.7%
Modesto
18.7%
Modesto +
White
Chattanooga
58.4%
Chattanooga +
Modesto
50.8%
Black
Chattanooga
28.6%
Chattanooga +
Modesto
4.7%
Asian
Chattanooga
2.4%
Modesto
7.4%
Modesto +
Hispanic
Chattanooga
9.3%
Modesto
43.9%
Modesto +
Spanish at Home
Chattanooga
N/A
Modesto
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 218,614 | Modesto + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 35.4 | Modesto + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 18.7% | Modesto + |
| White | 58.4% | 50.8% | Chattanooga + |
| Black | 28.6% | 4.7% | Chattanooga + |
| Asian | 2.4% | 7.4% | Modesto + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 43.9% | Modesto + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chattanooga
$61,028
Modesto
$77,899
Modesto +
Per Capita Income
Chattanooga
$40,040
Chattanooga +
Modesto
$34,656
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chattanooga
$59,097
Modesto
$77,230
Modesto +
Unemployment Rate
Chattanooga
4.9%
Chattanooga +
Modesto
7.3%
Poverty Rate
Chattanooga
17.6%
Modesto
13.0%
Modesto +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chattanooga
35.5%
Chattanooga +
Modesto
20.3%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,028 | $77,899 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,040 | $34,656 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $77,230 | Modesto + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 7.3% | Chattanooga + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.6% | 13.0% | Modesto + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 20.3% | Chattanooga + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chattanooga
$322,291
Chattanooga +
Modesto
$447,353
Homeownership Rate
Chattanooga
53.1%
Modesto
58.4%
Modesto +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $322,291 | $447,353 | Chattanooga + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 58.4% | Modesto + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
639
Modesto
503
Modesto +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
2350
Chattanooga +
Modesto
2388
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 503 | Modesto + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2388 | Chattanooga + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
36.3%
Modesto
36.2%
Modesto +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
13.9%
Modesto
12.1%
Modesto +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chattanooga
19.2%
Modesto
19.0%
Modesto +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
12.7%
Chattanooga +
Modesto
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
14.2%
Chattanooga +
Modesto
16.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
16.7%
Modesto
13.7%
Modesto +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 36.2% | Modesto + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 12.1% | Modesto + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 19.0% | Modesto + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 13.0% | Chattanooga + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 16.5% | Chattanooga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 13.7% | Modesto + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Chattanooga +
Modesto
63.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
52.5 in
Modesto
13.1 in
Modesto +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 63.7°F | Chattanooga + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5 in | 13.1 in | Modesto + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
8.9 µg/m³
Modesto
7.9 µg/m³
Modesto +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chattanooga
75.0%
Modesto
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Modesto + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chattanooga
20.3 min
Chattanooga +
Modesto
30.5 min
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 30.5 min | Chattanooga + |
Which City is Right for You?
Modesto leads in median household income at $77,899, while chattanooga offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $322,291. On public safety, Modesto 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 Modesto has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Modesto scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
Compare More Cities
Chattanooga, TN vs New York, NYChattanooga, TN vs Los Angeles, CAChattanooga, TN vs Chicago, ILChattanooga, TN vs Houston, TXChattanooga, TN vs Phoenix, AZChattanooga, TN vs Philadelphia, PA