Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Chico, CA
VS
Corpus Christi, TX
🏆 Chico leads 12 of 23 categories
Chico
California
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
104.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$65,932 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
184⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
102,790
Corpus Christi
Texas
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
95.8 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$64,449
Violent Crime Index
227⚠ High
Population
317,804 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Chico, CA
Pros
19% less violent crime than Corpus Christi
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 rents — median is $1,360/mo
Higher unemployment (6.9% vs 5.6%)
Corpus Christi, TX
Pros
Homes cost $247k less ($180,900 vs $427,600)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.3 pts lower (5.6%)
Rent averages $182/mo less ($1,178 vs $1,360)
9% cheaper overall cost of living than Chico
Milder winters — January highs near 63°F vs 56°F
Cooler summers — July highs near 89°F vs 95°F
Cons
Violent crime (863.6/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3011.3/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Chico
Median Income
$1,483
$65,932 vs $64,449/yr
Chico
Violent Crime
19% lower
699.2 vs 863.6 per 100k
Chico
Summer Heat
6.5°F warmer
July avg high 95.2°F vs 88.7°F
Corpus Christi
Cost of Living
9% cheaper
COL index 95.8 vs 104.6 (100 = US avg)
Corpus Christi
Median Home Value
$247k less
$180,900 vs $427,600
Corpus Christi
Unemployment
1.3 pp lower
5.6% vs 6.9% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Chico, CA | Corpus Christi, TX |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 104.6⚠ High | 95.8 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $427,600⚠ High | $180,900 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,360⚠ High | $1,178 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $65,932 ✓ Higher | $64,449 |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9%⚠ High | 5.6%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 17.5 min ✓ Shorter | 19.5 min |
| Work From Home % | 11.5% ✓ Higher | 4.5% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 147⚠ High ✓ Safer | 194⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 184⚠ High ✓ Safer | 227⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 90 ✓ Safer | 143⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (112) ✓ Better | C+ (84) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.9:1 ✓ Smaller | 16.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 41.3% ✓ Higher | 23.1% |
| High School or Higher | 93.2% ✓ Higher | 85.0% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Inspire School of Arts and Sciences District | CORPUS CHRISTI ISD |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 56.1°F | 63.3°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 95.2°F ✓ Warmer | 88.7°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 28.3" ✓ Drier | 34.1" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.1" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 102,790 | 317,804 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 35.7 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.1% | 57.3% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 18.7% | 24.0% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.5% | 14.5% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Chico's cost of living index is 104.6 vs Corpus Christi's 95.8 (US average = 100).
Corpus Christi is 9% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Chico leads 12 of 23 categories. Chico wins 12 and Corpus Christi 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 Corpus Christi or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($427,600 vs $180,900 median home), income ($65,932 vs $64,449), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Chico, CA and Corpus Christi, TX are about 1,633 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.