Chattanooga TN vs San Jose 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%
San Jose, CA
California · Population: 990,054
- Median HH Income$141,565
- Median Home Price$1,452,609
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+46.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chattanooga
182,832
San Jose
990,054
San Jose +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chattanooga
N/A
San Jose
N/A
Median Age
Chattanooga
36.6
Chattanooga +
San Jose
38.1
Foreign Born
Chattanooga
7.7%
San Jose
41.6%
San Jose +
White
Chattanooga
58.4%
Chattanooga +
San Jose
29.0%
Black
Chattanooga
28.6%
Chattanooga +
San Jose
2.9%
Asian
Chattanooga
2.4%
San Jose
38.6%
San Jose +
Hispanic
Chattanooga
9.3%
San Jose
30.9%
San Jose +
Spanish at Home
Chattanooga
N/A
San Jose
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 990,054 | San Jose + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 38.1 | Chattanooga + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 41.6% | San Jose + |
| White | 58.4% | 29.0% | Chattanooga + |
| Black | 28.6% | 2.9% | Chattanooga + |
| Asian | 2.4% | 38.6% | San Jose + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 30.9% | San Jose + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chattanooga
$61,028
San Jose
$141,565
San Jose +
Per Capita Income
Chattanooga
$40,040
San Jose
$63,253
San Jose +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chattanooga
$59,097
San Jose
$77,230
San Jose +
Unemployment Rate
Chattanooga
4.9%
San Jose
4.7%
San Jose +
Poverty Rate
Chattanooga
17.6%
San Jose
7.8%
San Jose +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chattanooga
35.5%
San Jose
46.5%
San Jose +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,028 | $141,565 | San Jose + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,040 | $63,253 | San Jose + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $77,230 | San Jose + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.7% | San Jose + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.6% | 7.8% | San Jose + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 46.5% | San Jose + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chattanooga
$322,291
Chattanooga +
San Jose
$1,452,609
Homeownership Rate
Chattanooga
53.1%
San Jose
56.0%
San Jose +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $322,291 | $1,452,609 | Chattanooga + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 56.0% | San Jose + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
639
San Jose
503
San Jose +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
2350
Chattanooga +
San Jose
2388
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 503 | San Jose + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2388 | Chattanooga + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
36.3%
San Jose
23.7%
San Jose +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
13.9%
San Jose
11.1%
San Jose +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chattanooga
19.2%
San Jose
14.9%
San Jose +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
12.7%
San Jose
9.1%
San Jose +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
14.2%
San Jose
13.0%
San Jose +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
16.7%
San Jose
9.4%
San Jose +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 23.7% | San Jose + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 11.1% | San Jose + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 14.9% | San Jose + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 9.1% | San Jose + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 13.0% | San Jose + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 9.4% | San Jose + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Chattanooga +
San Jose
61.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
52.5 in
San Jose
14.9 in
San Jose +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 61.5°F | Chattanooga + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5 in | 14.9 in | San Jose + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
8.9 µg/m³
San Jose
7.9 µg/m³
San Jose +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chattanooga
75.0%
San Jose
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Jose + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chattanooga
20.3 min
Chattanooga +
San Jose
30.4 min
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 30.4 min | Chattanooga + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Jose leads in median household income at $141,565, while chattanooga offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $322,291. On public safety, San Jose is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Chattanooga. San Jose has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and San Jose has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Jose scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.7%.
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