Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Arden-Arcade, CA
VS
Chico, CA
🏆 Chico leads 13 of 23 categories
Arden-Arcade
California
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
108.9⚠ High
Median Household Income
$64,479
Violent Crime Index
136⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
96,076
Chico
California
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
104.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$65,932 ✓ Higher
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.
Arden-Arcade, CA
Pros
26% less violent crime than Chico
Cons
Violent crime (518.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher unemployment (8.1% vs 6.9%)
Pricier housing — median home is $466,300
Cost of living runs 4% higher than Chico
Chico, CA
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.2 pts lower (6.9%)
Commutes run 8 min shorter each way
Homes cost $39k less ($427,600 vs $466,300)
More college-educated — 41.3% hold a bachelor's or higher
Smaller class sizes — 14.9:1 student-teacher ratio
4% cheaper overall cost of living than Arden-Arcade
Cons
Violent crime (699.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Key Differences at a Glance
Arden-Arcade
Violent Crime
26% lower
518.1 vs 699.2 per 100k
Chico
Cost of Living
4% cheaper
COL index 104.6 vs 108.9 (100 = US avg)
Chico
Median Income
$1,453
$65,932 vs $64,479/yr
Chico
Median Home Value
$39k less
$427,600 vs $466,300
Chico
Unemployment
1.2 pp lower
6.9% vs 8.1% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Arden-Arcade, CA | Chico, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 108.9⚠ High | 104.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $466,300⚠ High | $427,600⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,385⚠ High | $1,360⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $64,479 | $65,932 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.1%⚠ High | 6.9%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 25.4 min | 17.5 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 13.9% ✓ Higher | 11.5% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 119⚠ High ✓ Safer | 147⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 136⚠ High ✓ Safer | 184⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 92 | 90 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (93) | A- (112) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 22.6:1 | 14.9:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 36.3% | 41.3% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 88.9% | 93.2% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | San Juan Unified | Inspire School of Arts and Sciences District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 56.5°F ✓ Warmer | 56.1°F |
| Avg High — July | 94.4°F | 95.2°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 21.5" ✓ Drier | 28.3" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 0.1" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 96,076 | 102,790 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 37.0 ✓ Older | 30.4 |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.9% ✓ Higher | 44.1% |
| Under 18 | 22.8% ✓ More | 18.7% |
| Over 65 | 16.6% ✓ More | 13.5% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Arden-Arcade's cost of living index is 108.9 vs Chico's 104.6 (US average = 100).
Chico is 4% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Chico leads 13 of 23 categories. Arden-Arcade wins 10 and Chico 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 Arden-Arcade to Chico or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($466,300 vs $427,600 median home), income ($64,479 vs $65,932), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Arden-Arcade, CA and Chico, CA are about 83 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.