Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Chico, CA
VS
Conroe, TX
🏆 Conroe leads 14 of 23 categories
Chico
California
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
104.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$65,932
Violent Crime Index
184⚠ High
Population
102,790 ✓ Larger
Conroe
Texas
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
100.2⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$71,630 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
64 ✓ Safer
Population
92,475
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Chico, CA
Pros
Commutes run 10 min shorter each way
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 3.4%)
Median income trails Conroe by $5,698/yr
Conroe, TX
Pros
Homes cost $165k less ($262,500 vs $427,600)
65% less violent crime than Chico
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.5 pts lower (3.4%)
Violent crime is well below the national average (243.5 vs 380/100k)
Households earn $5,698 more per year on average
Rent averages $105/mo less ($1,255 vs $1,360)
Cons
Nothing stands out — a close match here.
Key Differences at a Glance
Conroe
Cost of Living
4% cheaper
COL index 100.2 vs 104.6 (100 = US avg)
Conroe
Median Income
$5,698
$71,630 vs $65,932/yr
Conroe
Violent Crime
65% lower
243.5 vs 699.2 per 100k
Conroe
Median Home Value
$165k less
$262,500 vs $427,600
Conroe
Unemployment
3.5 pp lower
3.4% vs 6.9% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Chico, CA | Conroe, TX |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 104.6⚠ High | 100.2⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $427,600⚠ High | $262,500 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,360⚠ High | $1,255 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $65,932 | $71,630 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9%⚠ High | 3.4% ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 17.5 min ✓ Shorter | 27.6 min |
| Work From Home % | 11.5% ✓ Higher | 8.9% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 147⚠ High | 70 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 184⚠ High | 64 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 90 | 78 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (112) ✓ Better | B (98) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.9:1 ✓ Smaller | 15.3:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 41.3% ✓ Higher | 32.2% |
| High School or Higher | 93.2% ✓ Higher | 86.5% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Inspire School of Arts and Sciences District | CONROE ISD |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 56.1°F | 62.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 95.2°F ✓ Warmer | 94.9°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 28.3" ✓ Drier | 51.0" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.1" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 102,790 ✓ Larger | 92,475 |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 33.5 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.1% | 56.1% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 18.7% | 24.3% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.5% | 14.2% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Chico's cost of living index is 104.6 vs Conroe's 100.2 (US average = 100).
Conroe is 4% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Conroe leads 14 of 23 categories. Chico wins 9 and Conroe wins 14. 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 Conroe or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($427,600 vs $262,500 median home), income ($65,932 vs $71,630), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Chico, CA and Conroe, TX are about 1,618 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.