Chattanooga TN vs Riverside 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%
Riverside, CA
California · Population: 316,241
- Median HH Income$88,575
- Median Home Price$648,603
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+25.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chattanooga
182,832
Riverside
316,241
Riverside +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chattanooga
N/A
Riverside
N/A
Median Age
Chattanooga
36.6
Riverside
33.1
Riverside +
Foreign Born
Chattanooga
7.7%
Riverside
22.4%
Riverside +
White
Chattanooga
58.4%
Chattanooga +
Riverside
39.2%
Black
Chattanooga
28.6%
Chattanooga +
Riverside
6.0%
Asian
Chattanooga
2.4%
Riverside
8.3%
Riverside +
Hispanic
Chattanooga
9.3%
Riverside
54.6%
Riverside +
Spanish at Home
Chattanooga
N/A
Riverside
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 316,241 | Riverside + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 33.1 | Riverside + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 22.4% | Riverside + |
| White | 58.4% | 39.2% | Chattanooga + |
| Black | 28.6% | 6.0% | Chattanooga + |
| Asian | 2.4% | 8.3% | Riverside + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 54.6% | Riverside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chattanooga
$61,028
Riverside
$88,575
Riverside +
Per Capita Income
Chattanooga
$40,040
Chattanooga +
Riverside
$33,716
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chattanooga
$59,097
Riverside
$77,230
Riverside +
Unemployment Rate
Chattanooga
4.9%
Chattanooga +
Riverside
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Chattanooga
17.6%
Riverside
12.5%
Riverside +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chattanooga
35.5%
Chattanooga +
Riverside
25.7%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,028 | $88,575 | Riverside + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,040 | $33,716 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $77,230 | Riverside + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 6.0% | Chattanooga + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.6% | 12.5% | Riverside + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 25.7% | Chattanooga + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chattanooga
$322,291
Chattanooga +
Riverside
$648,603
Homeownership Rate
Chattanooga
53.1%
Riverside
56.3%
Riverside +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $322,291 | $648,603 | Chattanooga + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 56.3% | Riverside + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
639
Riverside
503
Riverside +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
2350
Chattanooga +
Riverside
2388
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 503 | Riverside + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2388 | Chattanooga + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
36.3%
Chattanooga +
Riverside
36.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
13.9%
Riverside
11.2%
Riverside +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chattanooga
19.2%
Riverside
18.5%
Riverside +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
12.7%
Chattanooga +
Riverside
13.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
14.2%
Chattanooga +
Riverside
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
16.7%
Riverside
11.5%
Riverside +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 36.7% | Chattanooga + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 11.2% | Riverside + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 18.5% | Riverside + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 13.6% | Chattanooga + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 15.2% | Chattanooga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 11.5% | Riverside + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Chattanooga +
Riverside
66.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
52.5 in
Riverside
10.3 in
Riverside +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 66.8°F | Chattanooga + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5 in | 10.3 in | Riverside + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
8.9 µg/m³
Riverside
7.9 µg/m³
Riverside +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chattanooga
75.0%
Riverside
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Riverside + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chattanooga
20.3 min
Chattanooga +
Riverside
34.1 min
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 34.1 min | Chattanooga + |
Which City is Right for You?
Riverside leads in median household income at $88,575, while chattanooga offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $322,291. On public safety, Riverside 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 Riverside has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chattanooga scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.3%.
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