Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Chattanooga, TN
VS
Livonia, MI
🏆 Livonia leads 13 of 22 categories
Chattanooga
Tennessee
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.8 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$57,703
Violent Crime Index
217⚠ High
Population
181,288 ✓ Larger
Livonia
Michigan
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.0
Median Household Income
$92,458 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
60 ✓ Safer
Population
94,928
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Chattanooga, TN
Pros
Rent averages $169/mo less ($1,066 vs $1,235)
Milder winters — January highs near 51°F vs 30°F
Commutes run 5 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.8)
Homes cost $19k less ($230,500 vs $249,000)
5% cheaper overall cost of living than Livonia
Cons
Median income trails Livonia by $34,755/yr
Violent crime (823.7/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3942.4/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Livonia, MI
Pros
72% less violent crime than Chattanooga
Households earn $34,755 more per year on average
Violent crime is well below the national average (228.1 vs 380/100k)
More college-educated — 39.1% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 83°F vs 91°F
Cons
Cost of living runs 5% higher than Chattanooga
Key Differences at a Glance
Chattanooga
Cost of Living
5% cheaper
COL index 92.8 vs 98.0 (100 = US avg)
Chattanooga
Median Home Value
$19k less
$230,500 vs $249,000
Chattanooga
Summer Heat
7.6°F warmer
July avg high 90.5°F vs 82.9°F
Livonia
Median Income
$34,755
$92,458 vs $57,703/yr
Livonia
Violent Crime
72% lower
228.1 vs 823.7 per 100k
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Livonia, MI |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.8 ✓ Cheaper | 98.0 |
| Median Home Value | $230,500 ✓ Lower | $249,000 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,066 ✓ Lower | $1,235 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $57,703 | $92,458 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1%⚠ High | 5.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.2 min ✓ Shorter | 23.9 min |
| Work From Home % | 10.4% | 13.3% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 205⚠ High | 60 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 217⚠ High | 60 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 188⚠ High | 60 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (101) | B+ (108) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | — | 15.6:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 34.1% | 39.1% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 89.0% | 94.7% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Hamilton County | Livonia Public Schools School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 51.0°F ✓ Warmer | 30.4°F |
| Avg High — July | 90.5°F ✓ Warmer | 82.9°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 55.0" | 33.0" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 3.6" ✓ Less | 36.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 181,288 ✓ Larger | 94,928 |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 45.2 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.4% | 87.2% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 20.0% ✓ More | 18.2% |
| Over 65 | 17.2% | 21.7% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Chattanooga's cost of living index is 92.8 vs Livonia's 98.0 (US average = 100).
Chattanooga is 5% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Livonia leads 13 of 22 categories. Chattanooga wins 9 and Livonia wins 13. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Chattanooga to Livonia or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($230,500 vs $249,000 median home), income ($57,703 vs $92,458), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Chattanooga, TN and Livonia, MI are about 516 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.