Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Brownsville, TX
VS
Chico, CA
🏆 Brownsville leads 12 of 22 categories
Brownsville
Texas
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
85.2 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$46,735
Violent Crime Index
120⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
186,999 ✓ Larger
Chico
California
10
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.
Brownsville, TX
Pros
Homes cost $315k less ($112,600 vs $427,600)
Rent averages $488/mo less ($872 vs $1,360)
35% less violent crime than Chico
19% cheaper overall cost of living than Chico
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.6 pts lower (6.3%)
Milder winters — January highs near 70°F vs 56°F
Cons
Median income trails Chico by $19,197/yr
Violent crime (456.0/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Chico, CA
Pros
Households earn $19,197 more per year on average
More college-educated — 41.3% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $427,600
Higher rents — median is $1,360/mo
Violent crime (699.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 19% higher than Brownsville
Key Differences at a Glance
Brownsville
Cost of Living
19% cheaper
COL index 85.2 vs 104.6 (100 = US avg)
Brownsville
Violent Crime
35% lower
456.0 vs 699.2 per 100k
Brownsville
Median Home Value
$315k less
$112,600 vs $427,600
Brownsville
Unemployment
0.6 pp lower
6.3% vs 6.9% unemployment
Chico
Median Income
$19,197
$65,932 vs $46,735/yr
Chico
Summer Heat
3.3°F warmer
July avg high 95.2°F vs 91.9°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Chico, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 85.2 ✓ Cheaper | 104.6⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $112,600 ✓ Lower | $427,600⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $872 ✓ Lower | $1,360⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $46,735 | $65,932 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.9%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 20.4 min | 17.5 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 6.6% | 11.5% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 109⚠ High ✓ Safer | 147⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 120⚠ 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 | C+ (85) | A- (112) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.9:1 | 14.9:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 20.9% | 41.3% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 69.1% | 93.2% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | BROWNSVILLE ISD | Inspire School of Arts and Sciences District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 70.4°F ✓ Warmer | 56.1°F |
| Avg High — July | 91.9°F | 95.2°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 28.7" | 28.3" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 0.1" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 186,999 ✓ Larger | 102,790 |
| Median Age | 30.7 ✓ Older | 30.4 |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.3% ✓ Higher | 44.1% |
| Under 18 | 28.9% ✓ More | 18.7% |
| Over 65 | 12.3% | 13.5% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Brownsville's cost of living index is 85.2 vs Chico's 104.6 (US average = 100).
Brownsville is 19% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Brownsville leads 12 of 22 categories. Brownsville wins 12 and Chico wins 10. 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 Brownsville to Chico or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($112,600 vs $427,600 median home), income ($46,735 vs $65,932), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Brownsville, TX and Chico, CA are about 1,695 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.