Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Chico, CA
VS
Colorado Springs, CO
🏆 Colorado Springs leads 12 of 22 categories
Chico
California
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
104.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$65,932
Violent Crime Index
184⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
102,790
Colorado Springs
Colorado
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
97.4 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$79,026 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
188⚠ High
Population
479,612 ✓ 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
Milder winters — January highs near 56°F vs 45°F
Rent averages $104/mo less ($1,360 vs $1,464)
Cons
Violent crime (699.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Colorado Springs by $13,094/yr
Pricier housing — median home is $427,600
Higher unemployment (6.9% vs 5.6%)
Colorado Springs, CO
Pros
Households earn $13,094 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.3 pts lower (5.6%)
Homes cost $45k less ($383,000 vs $427,600)
7% cheaper overall cost of living than Chico
Cooler summers — July highs near 87°F vs 95°F
Cons
Violent crime (715.6/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3448.8/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher rents — median is $1,464/mo
Snowy winters — about 55" of snow per year
Key Differences at a Glance
Chico
Violent Crime
2% lower
699.2 vs 715.6 per 100k
Chico
Summer Heat
8.7°F warmer
July avg high 95.2°F vs 86.5°F
Colorado Springs
Cost of Living
7% cheaper
COL index 97.4 vs 104.6 (100 = US avg)
Colorado Springs
Median Income
$13,094
$79,026 vs $65,932/yr
Colorado Springs
Median Home Value
$45k less
$383,000 vs $427,600
Colorado Springs
Unemployment
1.3 pp lower
5.6% vs 6.9% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Chico, CA | Colorado Springs, CO |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 104.6⚠ High | 97.4 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $427,600⚠ High | $383,000⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,360⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,464⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $65,932 | $79,026 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9%⚠ High | 5.6%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 17.5 min ✓ Shorter | 22.9 min |
| Work From Home % | 11.5% | 13.8% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 147⚠ High ✓ Safer | 179⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 184⚠ High ✓ Safer | 188⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 90 ✓ Safer | 164⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (112) ✓ Better | B (99) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.9:1 | 14.9:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 41.3% ✓ Higher | 41.1% |
| High School or Higher | 93.2% | 94.3% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Inspire School of Arts and Sciences District | Colorado Springs School District No. 11 in the county of E |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 56.1°F ✓ Warmer | 45.0°F |
| Avg High — July | 95.2°F ✓ Warmer | 86.5°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 28.3" | 19.0" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.1" ✓ Less | 55.2" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 102,790 | 479,612 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 35.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.1% | 61.1% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 18.7% | 22.1% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.5% | 14.3% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Chico's cost of living index is 104.6 vs Colorado Springs's 97.4 (US average = 100).
Colorado Springs is 7% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Colorado Springs leads 12 of 22 categories. Chico wins 10 and Colorado Springs 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 Colorado Springs or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($427,600 vs $383,000 median home), income ($65,932 vs $79,026), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Chico, CA and Colorado Springs, CO are about 913 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.