Chattanooga TN vs Temecula 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%
Temecula, CA
California · Population: 110,404
- Median HH Income$117,840
- Median Home Price$769,756
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+39.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chattanooga
182,832
Chattanooga +
Temecula
110,404
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chattanooga
N/A
Temecula
N/A
Median Age
Chattanooga
36.6
Temecula
36.3
Temecula +
Foreign Born
Chattanooga
7.7%
Temecula
16.6%
Temecula +
White
Chattanooga
58.4%
Chattanooga +
Temecula
57.0%
Black
Chattanooga
28.6%
Chattanooga +
Temecula
4.3%
Asian
Chattanooga
2.4%
Temecula
11.5%
Temecula +
Hispanic
Chattanooga
9.3%
Temecula
28.5%
Temecula +
Spanish at Home
Chattanooga
N/A
Temecula
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Temecula, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 110,404 | Chattanooga + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 36.3 | Temecula + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 16.6% | Temecula + |
| White | 58.4% | 57.0% | Chattanooga + |
| Black | 28.6% | 4.3% | Chattanooga + |
| Asian | 2.4% | 11.5% | Temecula + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 28.5% | Temecula + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chattanooga
$61,028
Temecula
$117,840
Temecula +
Per Capita Income
Chattanooga
$40,040
Temecula
$44,826
Temecula +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chattanooga
$59,097
Temecula
$77,230
Temecula +
Unemployment Rate
Chattanooga
4.9%
Chattanooga +
Temecula
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Chattanooga
17.6%
Temecula
7.4%
Temecula +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chattanooga
35.5%
Temecula
39.2%
Temecula +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Temecula, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,028 | $117,840 | Temecula + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,040 | $44,826 | Temecula + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $77,230 | Temecula + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.8% | Chattanooga + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.6% | 7.4% | Temecula + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 39.2% | Temecula + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chattanooga
$322,291
Chattanooga +
Temecula
$769,756
Homeownership Rate
Chattanooga
53.1%
Temecula
67.7%
Temecula +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Temecula, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $322,291 | $769,756 | Chattanooga + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 67.7% | Temecula + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
639
Temecula
503
Temecula +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
2350
Chattanooga +
Temecula
2388
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Temecula, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 503 | Temecula + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2388 | Chattanooga + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
36.3%
Temecula
33.0%
Temecula +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
13.9%
Temecula
9.6%
Temecula +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chattanooga
19.2%
Temecula
16.6%
Temecula +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
12.7%
Temecula
6.8%
Temecula +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
14.2%
Chattanooga +
Temecula
15.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
16.7%
Temecula
9.8%
Temecula +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Temecula, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 33.0% | Temecula + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 9.6% | Temecula + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 16.6% | Temecula + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 6.8% | Temecula + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 15.9% | Chattanooga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 9.8% | Temecula + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Temecula
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
52.5 in
Temecula
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Temecula, 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
Temecula
7.9 µg/m³
Temecula +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chattanooga
75.0%
Temecula
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Temecula, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Temecula + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chattanooga
20.3 min
Chattanooga +
Temecula
38.7 min
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Temecula, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 38.7 min | Chattanooga + |
Which City is Right for You?
Temecula leads in median household income at $117,840, while chattanooga offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $322,291. On public safety, Temecula 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 Temecula has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Temecula scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.0%.
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