Chattanooga TN vs Norwalk 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%
Norwalk, CA
California · Population: 100,713
- Median HH Income$98,709
- Median Home Price$765,319
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chattanooga
182,832
Chattanooga +
Norwalk
100,713
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chattanooga
N/A
Norwalk
N/A
Median Age
Chattanooga
36.6
Norwalk
36.5
Norwalk +
Foreign Born
Chattanooga
7.7%
Norwalk
32.6%
Norwalk +
White
Chattanooga
58.4%
Chattanooga +
Norwalk
24.0%
Black
Chattanooga
28.6%
Chattanooga +
Norwalk
4.2%
Asian
Chattanooga
2.4%
Norwalk
13.8%
Norwalk +
Hispanic
Chattanooga
9.3%
Norwalk
69.5%
Norwalk +
Spanish at Home
Chattanooga
N/A
Norwalk
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 100,713 | Chattanooga + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 36.5 | Norwalk + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 32.6% | Norwalk + |
| White | 58.4% | 24.0% | Chattanooga + |
| Black | 28.6% | 4.2% | Chattanooga + |
| Asian | 2.4% | 13.8% | Norwalk + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 69.5% | Norwalk + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chattanooga
$61,028
Norwalk
$98,709
Norwalk +
Per Capita Income
Chattanooga
$40,040
Chattanooga +
Norwalk
$31,989
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chattanooga
$59,097
Norwalk
$77,230
Norwalk +
Unemployment Rate
Chattanooga
4.9%
Chattanooga +
Norwalk
5.6%
Poverty Rate
Chattanooga
17.6%
Norwalk
9.7%
Norwalk +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chattanooga
35.5%
Chattanooga +
Norwalk
21.3%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,028 | $98,709 | Norwalk + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,040 | $31,989 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $77,230 | Norwalk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.6% | Chattanooga + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.6% | 9.7% | Norwalk + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 21.3% | Chattanooga + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chattanooga
$322,291
Chattanooga +
Norwalk
$765,319
Homeownership Rate
Chattanooga
53.1%
Norwalk
68.1%
Norwalk +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $322,291 | $765,319 | Chattanooga + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 68.1% | Norwalk + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
639
Norwalk
503
Norwalk +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
2350
Chattanooga +
Norwalk
2388
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 503 | Norwalk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2388 | Chattanooga + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
36.3%
Norwalk
26.9%
Norwalk +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
13.9%
Norwalk
12.7%
Norwalk +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chattanooga
19.2%
Norwalk
16.1%
Norwalk +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
12.7%
Chattanooga +
Norwalk
15.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
14.2%
Chattanooga +
Norwalk
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
16.7%
Norwalk
10.5%
Norwalk +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 26.9% | Norwalk + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 12.7% | Norwalk + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 16.1% | Norwalk + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 15.4% | Chattanooga + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 15.3% | Chattanooga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 10.5% | Norwalk + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Norwalk
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
52.5 in
Norwalk
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Norwalk, 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
Norwalk
7.9 µg/m³
Norwalk +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chattanooga
75.0%
Norwalk
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Norwalk + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chattanooga
20.3 min
Chattanooga +
Norwalk
32.1 min
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 32.1 min | Chattanooga + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norwalk leads in median household income at $98,709, while chattanooga offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $322,291. On public safety, Norwalk 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 Norwalk has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Norwalk scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.9%.
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