Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Chattanooga, TN
VS
Modesto, CA
🏆 It's a dead heat — 11 categories each
Chattanooga
Tennessee
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.8 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$57,703
Violent Crime Index
217⚠ High
Population
181,288
Modesto
California
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.0⚠ High
Median Household Income
$73,375 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
173⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
218,308 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Chattanooga, TN
Pros
Homes cost $151k less ($230,500 vs $381,800)
Rent averages $431/mo less ($1,066 vs $1,497)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.7 pts lower (5.1%)
Commutes run 10 min shorter each way
12% cheaper overall cost of living than Modesto
More college-educated — 34.1% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Violent crime (823.7/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Modesto by $15,672/yr
Property crime (3942.4/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Modesto, CA
Pros
20% less violent crime than Chattanooga
Households earn $15,672 more per year on average
Milder winters — January highs near 56°F vs 51°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $381,800
Higher rents — median is $1,497/mo
Violent crime (655.7/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 12% higher than Chattanooga
Key Differences at a Glance
Chattanooga
Cost of Living
12% cheaper
COL index 92.8 vs 105.0 (100 = US avg)
Chattanooga
Median Home Value
$151k less
$230,500 vs $381,800
Chattanooga
Unemployment
2.7 pp lower
5.1% vs 7.8% unemployment
Modesto
Median Income
$15,672
$73,375 vs $57,703/yr
Modesto
Violent Crime
20% lower
655.7 vs 823.7 per 100k
Modesto
Summer Heat
4.5°F warmer
July avg high 95.0°F vs 90.5°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Modesto, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.8 ✓ Cheaper | 105.0⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $230,500 ✓ Lower | $381,800⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,066 ✓ Lower | $1,497⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $57,703 | $73,375 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 7.8%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.2 min ✓ Shorter | 29.4 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 10.4% ✓ Higher | 6.9% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 205⚠ High | 150⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 217⚠ High | 173⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 188⚠ High | 115⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (101) ✓ Better | C- (65) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | — | 21.8:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 34.1% ✓ Higher | 19.7% |
| High School or Higher | 89.0% ✓ Higher | 83.6% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Hamilton County | Modesto City Elementary |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 51.0°F | 56.1°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 90.5°F | 95.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 55.0" | 12.3" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 3.6" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 181,288 | 218,308 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 37.0 ✓ Older | 34.9 |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.4% | 57.7% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 20.0% | 26.5% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 17.2% ✓ More | 13.9% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Chattanooga's cost of living index is 92.8 vs Modesto's 105.0 (US average = 100).
Chattanooga is 12% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, It's a dead heat — 11 categories each. Chattanooga wins 11 and Modesto wins 11. 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 Modesto or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($230,500 vs $381,800 median home), income ($57,703 vs $73,375), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Chattanooga, TN and Modesto, CA are about 1,986 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.