Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Chico, CA
VS
Columbia, SC
🏆 Chico leads 13 of 23 categories
Chico
California
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
104.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$65,932 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
184⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
102,790
Columbia
South Carolina
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.9 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$54,095
Violent Crime Index
203⚠ High
Population
136,754 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Chico, CA
Pros
9% less violent crime than Columbia
Households earn $11,837 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.0 pts lower (6.9%)
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $427,600
Violent crime (699.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher rents — median is $1,360/mo
Cost of living runs 12% higher than Columbia
Columbia, SC
Pros
Homes cost $201k less ($226,200 vs $427,600)
Rent averages $255/mo less ($1,105 vs $1,360)
12% cheaper overall cost of living than Chico
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.9)
More college-educated — 44.8% hold a bachelor's or higher
Smaller class sizes — 12.1:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Violent crime (769.9/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Chico by $11,837/yr
Property crime (3232.6/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (7.9% vs 6.9%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Chico
Median Income
$11,837
$65,932 vs $54,095/yr
Chico
Violent Crime
9% lower
699.2 vs 769.9 per 100k
Chico
Unemployment
1.0 pp lower
6.9% vs 7.9% unemployment
Columbia
Cost of Living
12% cheaper
COL index 92.9 vs 104.6 (100 = US avg)
Columbia
Median Home Value
$201k less
$226,200 vs $427,600
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Chico, CA | Columbia, SC |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 104.6⚠ High | 92.9 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $427,600⚠ High | $226,200 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,360⚠ High | $1,105 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $65,932 ✓ Higher | $54,095 |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 7.9%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 17.5 min | 17.4 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 11.5% ✓ Higher | 8.3% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 147⚠ High ✓ Safer | 183⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 184⚠ High ✓ Safer | 203⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 90 ✓ Safer | 154⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (112) | A- (115) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.9:1 | 12.1:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 41.3% | 44.8% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 93.2% ✓ Higher | 91.2% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Inspire School of Arts and Sciences District | Richland 01 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 56.1°F | 56.3°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 95.2°F ✓ Warmer | 92.5°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 28.3" ✓ Drier | 48.7" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.1" ✓ Less | 0.4" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 102,790 | 136,754 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 30.4 ✓ Older | 28.3 |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.1% | 47.0% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 18.7% ✓ More | 17.0% |
| Over 65 | 13.5% ✓ More | 10.7% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Chico's cost of living index is 104.6 vs Columbia's 92.9 (US average = 100).
Columbia is 12% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Chico leads 13 of 23 categories. Chico wins 13 and Columbia 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 Chico to Columbia or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($427,600 vs $226,200 median home), income ($65,932 vs $54,095), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Chico, CA and Columbia, SC are about 2,275 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.