Chattanooga TN vs Rio Rancho NM — 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%
Rio Rancho, NM
New Mexico · Population: 47,823
- Median HH Income$50,294
- Median Home Price$362,476
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+19.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chattanooga
182,832
Chattanooga +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chattanooga
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Chattanooga
36.6
Chattanooga +
Rio Rancho
36.8
Foreign Born
Chattanooga
7.7%
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Rio Rancho +
White
Chattanooga
58.4%
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Black
Chattanooga
28.6%
Chattanooga +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Chattanooga
2.4%
Chattanooga +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Chattanooga
9.3%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Chattanooga
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 47,823 | Chattanooga + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 36.8 | Chattanooga + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 11.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| White | 58.4% | 62.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 28.6% | 1.8% | Chattanooga + |
| Asian | 2.4% | 1.6% | Chattanooga + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chattanooga
$61,028
Chattanooga +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Chattanooga
$40,040
Chattanooga +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chattanooga
$59,097
Chattanooga +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Chattanooga
4.9%
Chattanooga +
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Chattanooga
17.6%
Chattanooga +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chattanooga
35.5%
Chattanooga +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,028 | $50,294 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,040 | $28,418 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $53,141 | Chattanooga + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.9% | Chattanooga + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.6% | 24.2% | Chattanooga + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 19.6% | Chattanooga + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chattanooga
$322,291
Chattanooga +
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Homeownership Rate
Chattanooga
53.1%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $322,291 | $362,476 | Chattanooga + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
639
Chattanooga +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
2350
Chattanooga +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 834 | Chattanooga + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 3177 | Chattanooga + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
36.3%
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
13.9%
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chattanooga
19.2%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
12.7%
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Rio Rancho +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
14.2%
Chattanooga +
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
16.7%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 31.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 10.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 11.5% | Rio Rancho + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 15.0% | Chattanooga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 10.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Rio Rancho +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
52.5 in
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 55.7°F | Rio Rancho + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5 in | 12.3 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
8.9 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chattanooga
75.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Rio Rancho + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chattanooga
20.3 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chattanooga leads in median household income at $61,028, while chattanooga offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $322,291. On public safety, Chattanooga is safer with a violent crime rate of 639 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Chattanooga has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Rio Rancho has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rio Rancho scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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