Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Chico, CA
VS
Chula Vista, CA
🏆 Chico leads 12 of 23 categories
Chico
California
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
104.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$65,932
Violent Crime Index
184⚠ High
Population
102,790
Chula Vista
California
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
111.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$101,984 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
99 ✓ Safer
Population
276,103 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Chico, CA
Pros
Homes cost $220k less ($427,600 vs $647,100)
Rent averages $675/mo less ($1,360 vs $2,035)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.9 pts lower (6.9%)
Commutes run 12 min shorter each way
More college-educated — 41.3% hold a bachelor's or higher
7% cheaper overall cost of living than Chula Vista
Cons
Median income trails Chula Vista by $36,052/yr
Violent crime (699.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Chula Vista, CA
Pros
Households earn $36,052 more per year on average
46% less violent crime than Chico
Cooler summers — July highs near 75°F vs 95°F
Milder winters — January highs near 68°F vs 56°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $647,100
Higher rents — median is $2,035/mo
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 111.5)
Higher unemployment (8.8% vs 6.9%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Chico
Cost of Living
7% cheaper
COL index 104.6 vs 111.5 (100 = US avg)
Chico
Median Home Value
$220k less
$427,600 vs $647,100
Chico
Unemployment
1.9 pp lower
6.9% vs 8.8% unemployment
Chico
Summer Heat
20.6°F warmer
July avg high 95.2°F vs 74.6°F
Chula Vista
Median Income
$36,052
$101,984 vs $65,932/yr
Chula Vista
Violent Crime
46% lower
375.8 vs 699.2 per 100k
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Chico, CA | Chula Vista, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 104.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 111.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $427,600⚠ High ✓ Lower | $647,100⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,360⚠ High ✓ Lower | $2,035⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $65,932 | $101,984 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 8.8%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 17.5 min ✓ Shorter | 29.1 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 11.5% ✓ Higher | 10.2% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 147⚠ High | 81 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 184⚠ High | 99 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 90 | 54 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (112) ✓ Better | C (80) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.9:1 ✓ Smaller | 22.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 41.3% ✓ Higher | 31.2% |
| High School or Higher | 93.2% ✓ Higher | 85.3% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Inspire School of Arts and Sciences District | Chula Vista Elementary |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 56.1°F | 67.5°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 95.2°F ✓ Warmer | 74.6°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 28.3" | 11.0" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.1" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 102,790 | 276,103 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 36.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.1% | 59.9% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 18.7% | 24.7% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.5% ✓ More | 12.2% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Chico's cost of living index is 104.6 vs Chula Vista's 111.5 (US average = 100).
Chico is 7% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Chico leads 12 of 23 categories. Chico wins 12 and Chula Vista wins 11. 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 Chico to Chula Vista or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($427,600 vs $647,100 median home), income ($65,932 vs $101,984), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Chico, CA and Chula Vista, CA are about 561 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.