Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Chico, CA
VS
Clearwater, FL
🏆 Clearwater leads 12 of 23 categories
Chico
California
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
104.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$65,932 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
184⚠ High
Population
102,790
Clearwater
Florida
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.4⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$59,358
Violent Crime Index
104⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
116,984 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Chico, CA
Pros
Commutes run 5 min shorter each way
Households earn $6,574 more per year on average
More college-educated — 41.3% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $427,600
Violent crime (699.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher unemployment (6.9% vs 4.7%)
Clearwater, FL
Pros
Homes cost $140k less ($287,900 vs $427,600)
43% less violent crime than Chico
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.2 pts lower (4.7%)
Milder winters — January highs near 71°F vs 56°F
Cons
Median income trails Chico by $6,574/yr
Key Differences at a Glance
Chico
Median Income
$6,574
$65,932 vs $59,358/yr
Chico
Summer Heat
4.9°F warmer
July avg high 95.2°F vs 90.3°F
Clearwater
Cost of Living
1% cheaper
COL index 103.4 vs 104.6 (100 = US avg)
Clearwater
Violent Crime
43% lower
395.5 vs 699.2 per 100k
Clearwater
Median Home Value
$140k less
$287,900 vs $427,600
Clearwater
Unemployment
2.2 pp lower
4.7% vs 6.9% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Chico, CA | Clearwater, FL |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 104.6⚠ High | 103.4⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $427,600⚠ High | $287,900 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,360⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,389⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $65,932 ✓ Higher | $59,358 |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9%⚠ High | 4.7%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 17.5 min ✓ Shorter | 22.8 min |
| Work From Home % | 11.5% | 16.4% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 147⚠ High | 99 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 184⚠ High | 104⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 90 | 90 |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (112) ✓ Better | B (101) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.9:1 ✓ Smaller | 15.9:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 41.3% ✓ Higher | 31.9% |
| High School or Higher | 93.2% ✓ Higher | 90.8% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Inspire School of Arts and Sciences District | PINELLAS |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 56.1°F | 70.6°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 95.2°F ✓ Warmer | 90.3°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 28.3" ✓ Drier | 56.1" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.1" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 102,790 | 116,984 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 46.0 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.1% | 58.8% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 18.7% ✓ More | 17.6% |
| Over 65 | 13.5% | 23.5% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Chico's cost of living index is 104.6 vs Clearwater's 103.4 (US average = 100).
Clearwater is 1% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Clearwater leads 12 of 23 categories. Chico wins 11 and Clearwater wins 12. 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 Clearwater or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($427,600 vs $287,900 median home), income ($65,932 vs $59,358), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Chico, CA and Clearwater, FL are about 2,361 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.