Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Bellingham, WA
VS
Chico, CA
🏆 Chico leads 13 of 23 categories
Bellingham
Washington
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
104.1⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$64,026
Violent Crime Index
92 ✓ Safer
Population
91,353
Chico
California
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
104.6⚠ High
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.
Bellingham, WA
Pros
50% less violent crime than Chico
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.1 pts lower (4.8%)
Cooler summers — July highs near 75°F vs 95°F
More college-educated — 46.1% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $528,600
Property crime (3756.9/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Chico, CA
Pros
Homes cost $101k less ($427,600 vs $528,600)
Milder winters — January highs near 56°F vs 48°F
Smaller class sizes — 14.9:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Violent crime (699.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher unemployment (6.9% vs 4.8%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Bellingham
Cost of Living
1% cheaper
COL index 104.1 vs 104.6 (100 = US avg)
Bellingham
Violent Crime
50% lower
350.0 vs 699.2 per 100k
Bellingham
Unemployment
2.1 pp lower
4.8% vs 6.9% unemployment
Chico
Median Income
$1,906
$65,932 vs $64,026/yr
Chico
Median Home Value
$101k less
$427,600 vs $528,600
Chico
Summer Heat
20.1°F warmer
July avg high 95.2°F vs 75.1°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Chico, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 104.1⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 104.6⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $528,600⚠ High | $427,600⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,385⚠ High | $1,360⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $64,026 | $65,932 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.9%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 18.7 min | 17.5 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 12.6% ✓ Higher | 11.5% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 127⚠ High ✓ Safer | 147⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 92 ✓ Safer | 184⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 179⚠ High | 90 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (102) | A- (112) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 17.4:1 | 14.9:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 46.1% ✓ Higher | 41.3% |
| High School or Higher | 94.6% ✓ Higher | 93.2% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Bellingham School District | Inspire School of Arts and Sciences District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 47.6°F | 56.1°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 75.1°F | 95.2°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 38.2" | 28.3" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 3.4" | 0.1" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 91,353 | 102,790 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 33.7 ✓ Older | 30.4 |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.6% ✓ Higher | 44.1% |
| Under 18 | 13.5% | 18.7% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 16.5% ✓ More | 13.5% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Bellingham's cost of living index is 104.1 vs Chico's 104.6 (US average = 100).
Bellingham is 0% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Chico leads 13 of 23 categories. Bellingham 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 Bellingham to Chico or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($528,600 vs $427,600 median home), income ($64,026 vs $65,932), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Bellingham, WA and Chico, CA are about 622 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.