Chattanooga TN vs West Covina 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%
West Covina, CA
California · Population: 107,436
- Median HH Income$98,570
- Median Home Price$851,613
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+29.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chattanooga
182,832
Chattanooga +
West Covina
107,436
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chattanooga
N/A
West Covina
N/A
Median Age
Chattanooga
36.6
Chattanooga +
West Covina
40.1
Foreign Born
Chattanooga
7.7%
West Covina
36.7%
West Covina +
White
Chattanooga
58.4%
Chattanooga +
West Covina
20.0%
Black
Chattanooga
28.6%
Chattanooga +
West Covina
4.1%
Asian
Chattanooga
2.4%
West Covina
30.6%
West Covina +
Hispanic
Chattanooga
9.3%
West Covina
53.2%
West Covina +
Spanish at Home
Chattanooga
N/A
West Covina
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 107,436 | Chattanooga + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 40.1 | Chattanooga + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 36.7% | West Covina + |
| White | 58.4% | 20.0% | Chattanooga + |
| Black | 28.6% | 4.1% | Chattanooga + |
| Asian | 2.4% | 30.6% | West Covina + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 53.2% | West Covina + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chattanooga
$61,028
West Covina
$98,570
West Covina +
Per Capita Income
Chattanooga
$40,040
Chattanooga +
West Covina
$38,100
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chattanooga
$59,097
West Covina
$77,230
West Covina +
Unemployment Rate
Chattanooga
4.9%
Chattanooga +
West Covina
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Chattanooga
17.6%
West Covina
9.7%
West Covina +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chattanooga
35.5%
Chattanooga +
West Covina
29.8%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,028 | $98,570 | West Covina + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,040 | $38,100 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $77,230 | West Covina + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 6.2% | Chattanooga + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.6% | 9.7% | West Covina + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 29.8% | Chattanooga + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chattanooga
$322,291
Chattanooga +
West Covina
$851,613
Homeownership Rate
Chattanooga
53.1%
West Covina
60.8%
West Covina +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $322,291 | $851,613 | Chattanooga + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 60.8% | West Covina + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
639
West Covina
503
West Covina +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
2350
Chattanooga +
West Covina
2388
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 503 | West Covina + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2388 | Chattanooga + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
36.3%
West Covina
23.5%
West Covina +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
13.9%
West Covina
12.8%
West Covina +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chattanooga
19.2%
West Covina
14.7%
West Covina +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
12.7%
West Covina
11.4%
West Covina +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
14.2%
West Covina
13.7%
West Covina +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
16.7%
West Covina
9.6%
West Covina +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 23.5% | West Covina + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 12.8% | West Covina + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 14.7% | West Covina + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 11.4% | West Covina + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 13.7% | West Covina + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 9.6% | West Covina + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
60.9°F
West Covina
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
52.5 in
West Covina
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | West Covina, 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
West Covina
7.9 µg/m³
West Covina +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chattanooga
75.0%
West Covina
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | West Covina + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chattanooga
20.3 min
Chattanooga +
West Covina
36.1 min
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 36.1 min | Chattanooga + |
Which City is Right for You?
West Covina leads in median household income at $98,570, while chattanooga offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $322,291. On public safety, West Covina 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 West Covina has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, West Covina scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.5%.
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