Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Abilene, TX
VS
Chico, CA
🏆 Abilene leads 16 of 22 categories
Abilene
Texas
16
wins
Cost of Living Index
89.8 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$59,254
Violent Crime Index
112⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
126,356 ✓ Larger
Chico
California
6
wins
Cost of Living Index
104.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$65,932 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
184⚠ High
Population
102,790
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Abilene, TX
Pros
Homes cost $266k less ($161,800 vs $427,600)
39% less violent crime than Chico
Stronger job market — unemployment is 4.1 pts lower (2.8%)
Rent averages $300/mo less ($1,060 vs $1,360)
15% cheaper overall cost of living than Chico
Living costs sit below the national average (index 89.8)
Cons
Median income trails Chico by $6,678/yr
Chico, CA
Pros
More college-educated — 41.3% hold a bachelor's or higher
Households earn $6,678 more per year on average
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $427,600
Violent crime (699.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher rents — median is $1,360/mo
Cost of living runs 15% higher than Abilene
Key Differences at a Glance
Abilene
Cost of Living
15% cheaper
COL index 89.8 vs 104.6 (100 = US avg)
Abilene
Violent Crime
39% lower
424.5 vs 699.2 per 100k
Abilene
Median Home Value
$266k less
$161,800 vs $427,600
Abilene
Unemployment
4.1 pp lower
2.8% vs 6.9% unemployment
Chico
Median Income
$6,678
$65,932 vs $59,254/yr
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Chico, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 89.8 ✓ Cheaper | 104.6⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $161,800 ✓ Lower | $427,600⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,060 ✓ Lower | $1,360⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $59,254 | $65,932 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.8% ✓ Lower | 6.9%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 15.2 min ✓ Shorter | 17.5 min |
| Work From Home % | 7.1% | 11.5% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 101⚠ High ✓ Safer | 147⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 112⚠ High ✓ Safer | 184⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 84 ✓ Safer | 90 |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (92) | A- (112) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.8:1 ✓ Smaller | 14.9:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 26.4% | 41.3% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 87.6% | 93.2% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | ABILENE ISD | Inspire School of Arts and Sciences District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 58.8°F ✓ Warmer | 56.1°F |
| Avg High — July | 96.4°F ✓ Warmer | 95.2°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 24.4" ✓ Drier | 28.3" |
| Annual Snowfall | 3.7" | 0.1" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 126,356 ✓ Larger | 102,790 |
| Median Age | 32.2 ✓ Older | 30.4 |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.0% ✓ Higher | 44.1% |
| Under 18 | 23.1% ✓ More | 18.7% |
| Over 65 | 13.5% | 13.5% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Abilene's cost of living index is 89.8 vs Chico's 104.6 (US average = 100).
Abilene is 15% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Abilene leads 16 of 22 categories. Abilene wins 16 and Chico wins 6. 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 Abilene to Chico or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($161,800 vs $427,600 median home), income ($59,254 vs $65,932), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Abilene, TX and Chico, CA are about 1,327 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.