Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Alafaya, FL
VS
Chico, CA
🏆 Alafaya leads 12 of 20 categories
Alafaya
Florida
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
101.1⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$93,251 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
—
Population
91,531
Chico
California
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
104.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$65,932
Violent Crime Index
184⚠ High
Population
102,790 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Alafaya, FL
Pros
Households earn $27,319 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.5 pts lower (4.4%)
Homes cost $66k less ($361,800 vs $427,600)
Milder winters — January highs near 71°F vs 56°F
More college-educated — 47.9% hold a bachelor's or higher
4% cheaper overall cost of living than Chico
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,768/mo
Longer commutes — 30.9 min average each way
Chico, CA
Pros
Rent averages $408/mo less ($1,360 vs $1,768)
Commutes run 13 min shorter each way
Smaller class sizes — 14.9:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Median income trails Alafaya by $27,319/yr
Violent crime (699.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Pricier housing — median home is $427,600
Higher unemployment (6.9% vs 4.4%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Alafaya
Cost of Living
4% cheaper
COL index 101.1 vs 104.6 (100 = US avg)
Alafaya
Median Income
$27,319
$93,251 vs $65,932/yr
Alafaya
Median Home Value
$66k less
$361,800 vs $427,600
Alafaya
Unemployment
2.5 pp lower
4.4% vs 6.9% unemployment
Chico
Summer Heat
3.3°F warmer
July avg high 95.2°F vs 91.9°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Alafaya, FL | Chico, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 101.1⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 104.6⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $361,800⚠ High ✓ Lower | $427,600⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,768⚠ High | $1,360⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $93,251 ✓ Higher | $65,932 |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.9%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 30.9 min⚠ High | 17.5 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 16.2% ✓ Higher | 11.5% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | — | 147⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | — | 184⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | — | 90 |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (108) | A- (112) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 18.0:1 | 14.9:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 47.9% ✓ Higher | 41.3% |
| High School or Higher | 93.5% ✓ Higher | 93.2% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | ORANGE | Inspire School of Arts and Sciences District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 71.2°F ✓ Warmer | 56.1°F |
| Avg High — July | 91.9°F | 95.2°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 56.2" | 28.3" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 0.1" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 91,531 | 102,790 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 35.9 ✓ Older | 30.4 |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.4% ✓ Higher | 44.1% |
| Under 18 | 21.1% ✓ More | 18.7% |
| Over 65 | 10.8% | 13.5% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Alafaya's cost of living index is 101.1 vs Chico's 104.6 (US average = 100).
Alafaya is 4% less expensive overall.
Based on the 20 decided categories above, Alafaya leads 12 of 20 categories. Alafaya wins 12 and Chico wins 8. 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 Alafaya to Chico or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($361,800 vs $427,600 median home), income ($93,251 vs $65,932), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Alafaya, FL and Chico, CA are about 2,426 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.