Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Buckeye, AZ
VS
Chula Vista, CA
🏆 Buckeye leads 15 of 22 categories
Buckeye
Arizona
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
100.0 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$94,188
Violent Crime Index
44 ✓ Safer
Population
95,042
Chula Vista
California
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
111.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$101,984 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
99
Population
276,103 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Buckeye, AZ
Pros
Homes cost $305k less ($341,700 vs $647,100)
56% less violent crime than Chula Vista
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.8 pts lower (5.0%)
Rent averages $438/mo less ($1,597 vs $2,035)
Violent crime is well below the national average (166.8 vs 380/100k)
12% cheaper overall cost of living than Chula Vista
Cons
Longer commutes — 32.5 min average each way
Hot summers — July highs average 107°F
Median income trails Chula Vista by $7,796/yr
Chula Vista, CA
Pros
Cooler summers — July highs near 75°F vs 107°F
Commutes run 3 min shorter each way
More college-educated — 31.2% hold a bachelor's or higher
Households earn $7,796 more per year on average
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $647,100
Higher rents — median is $2,035/mo
Cost of living runs 12% higher than Buckeye
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 111.5)
Key Differences at a Glance
Buckeye
Cost of Living
12% cheaper
COL index 100.0 vs 111.5 (100 = US avg)
Buckeye
Violent Crime
56% lower
166.8 vs 375.8 per 100k
Buckeye
Median Home Value
$305k less
$341,700 vs $647,100
Buckeye
Unemployment
3.8 pp lower
5.0% vs 8.8% unemployment
Buckeye
Summer Heat
31.9°F warmer
July avg high 106.5°F vs 74.6°F
Chula Vista
Median Income
$7,796
$101,984 vs $94,188/yr
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Buckeye, AZ | Chula Vista, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 100.0 ✓ Cheaper | 111.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $341,700⚠ High ✓ Lower | $647,100⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,597⚠ High ✓ Lower | $2,035⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $94,188 | $101,984 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 8.8%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 32.5 min⚠ High | 29.1 min⚠ High ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 14.2% ✓ Higher | 10.2% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 41 ✓ Safer | 81 |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 44 ✓ Safer | 99 |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 37 ✓ Safer | 54 |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C- (72) | C (80) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 20.2:1 ✓ Smaller | 22.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 22.9% | 31.2% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 88.2% ✓ Higher | 85.3% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Litchfield Elementary District (4281) | Chula Vista Elementary |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 66.1°F | 67.5°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 106.5°F ✓ Warmer | 74.6°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 8.0" ✓ Drier | 11.0" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 95,042 | 276,103 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 36.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 85.3% ✓ Higher | 59.9% |
| Under 18 | 28.5% ✓ More | 24.7% |
| Over 65 | 12.9% ✓ More | 12.2% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Buckeye's cost of living index is 100.0 vs Chula Vista's 111.5 (US average = 100).
Buckeye is 12% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Buckeye leads 15 of 22 categories. Buckeye wins 15 and Chula Vista wins 7. 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 Buckeye to Chula Vista or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($341,700 vs $647,100 median home), income ($94,188 vs $101,984), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Buckeye, AZ and Chula Vista, CA are about 259 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.