Chattanooga TN vs Santa Ana 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%
Santa Ana, CA
California · Population: 91,535
- Median HH Income$109,739
- Median Home Price$865,610
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+68.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chattanooga
182,832
Chattanooga +
Santa Ana
91,535
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chattanooga
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
Median Age
Chattanooga
36.6
Chattanooga +
Santa Ana
42.9
Foreign Born
Chattanooga
7.7%
Santa Ana
23.2%
Santa Ana +
White
Chattanooga
58.4%
Santa Ana
66.9%
Santa Ana +
Black
Chattanooga
28.6%
Chattanooga +
Santa Ana
4.9%
Asian
Chattanooga
2.4%
Santa Ana
9.8%
Santa Ana +
Hispanic
Chattanooga
9.3%
Santa Ana
16.4%
Santa Ana +
Spanish at Home
Chattanooga
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 91,535 | Chattanooga + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 42.9 | Chattanooga + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 23.2% | Santa Ana + |
| White | 58.4% | 66.9% | Santa Ana + |
| Black | 28.6% | 4.9% | Chattanooga + |
| Asian | 2.4% | 9.8% | Santa Ana + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 16.4% | Santa Ana + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chattanooga
$61,028
Santa Ana
$109,739
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Income
Chattanooga
$40,040
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chattanooga
$59,097
Santa Ana
$77,230
Santa Ana +
Unemployment Rate
Chattanooga
4.9%
Chattanooga +
Santa Ana
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Chattanooga
17.6%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chattanooga
35.5%
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,028 | $109,739 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,040 | $90,657 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $77,230 | Santa Ana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 6.1% | Chattanooga + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.6% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 68.9% | Santa Ana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chattanooga
$322,291
Chattanooga +
Santa Ana
$865,610
Homeownership Rate
Chattanooga
53.1%
Chattanooga +
Santa Ana
28.8%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $322,291 | $865,610 | Chattanooga + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 28.8% | Chattanooga + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
639
Santa Ana
503
Santa Ana +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
2350
Chattanooga +
Santa Ana
2388
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 503 | Santa Ana + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2388 | Chattanooga + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
36.3%
Santa Ana
29.0%
Santa Ana +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
13.9%
Santa Ana
13.0%
Santa Ana +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chattanooga
19.2%
Santa Ana
18.7%
Santa Ana +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
12.7%
Chattanooga +
Santa Ana
20.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
14.2%
Chattanooga +
Santa Ana
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
16.7%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 29.0% | Santa Ana + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 13.0% | Santa Ana + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 18.7% | Santa Ana + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 20.7% | Chattanooga + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 15.7% | Chattanooga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Chattanooga +
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
52.5 in
Santa Ana
13.6 in
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 65.6°F | Chattanooga + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5 in | 13.6 in | Santa Ana + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
8.9 µg/m³
Santa Ana
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Ana +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chattanooga
75.0%
Santa Ana
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Ana + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chattanooga
20.3 min
Chattanooga +
Santa Ana
28.0 min
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 28.0 min | Chattanooga + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Ana leads in median household income at $109,739, while chattanooga offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $322,291. On public safety, Santa Ana 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 Santa Ana has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Ana scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.0%.
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