Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Chico, CA
VS
Daly City, CA
🏆 Daly City leads 12 of 23 categories
Chico
California
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
104.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$65,932
Violent Crime Index
184⚠ High
Population
102,790
Daly City
California
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
118.2⚠ High
Median Household Income
$114,910 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
78 ✓ Safer
Population
103,648 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Chico, CA
Pros
Homes cost $646k less ($427,600 vs $1,073,100)
Rent averages $1194/mo less ($1,360 vs $2,554)
Commutes run 12 min shorter each way
14% cheaper overall cost of living than Daly City
Smaller class sizes — 14.9:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Median income trails Daly City by $48,978/yr
Violent crime (699.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher unemployment (6.9% vs 5.4%)
Daly City, CA
Pros
Households earn $48,978 more per year on average
58% less violent crime than Chico
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.5 pts lower (5.4%)
Cooler summers — July highs near 62°F vs 95°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $1,073,100
Higher rents — median is $2,554/mo
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 118.2)
Cost of living runs 14% higher than Chico
Key Differences at a Glance
Chico
Cost of Living
14% cheaper
COL index 104.6 vs 118.2 (100 = US avg)
Chico
Median Home Value
$646k less
$427,600 vs $1,073,100
Chico
Summer Heat
33.4°F warmer
July avg high 95.2°F vs 61.8°F
Daly City
Median Income
$48,978
$114,910 vs $65,932/yr
Daly City
Violent Crime
58% lower
296.3 vs 699.2 per 100k
Daly City
Unemployment
1.5 pp lower
5.4% vs 6.9% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Chico, CA | Daly City, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 104.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 118.2⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $427,600⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,073,100⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,360⚠ High ✓ Lower | $2,554⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $65,932 | $114,910 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9%⚠ High | 5.4%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 17.5 min ✓ Shorter | 29.8 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 11.5% ✓ Higher | 10.1% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 147⚠ High | 81 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 184⚠ High | 78 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 90 | 86 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (112) ✓ Better | B- (91) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.9:1 ✓ Smaller | 21.3:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 41.3% ✓ Higher | 38.5% |
| High School or Higher | 93.2% ✓ Higher | 87.8% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Inspire School of Arts and Sciences District | Jefferson Elementary |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 56.1°F | 59.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 95.2°F ✓ Warmer | 61.8°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 28.3" | 20.6" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.1" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 102,790 | 103,648 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 41.4 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.1% | 60.2% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 18.7% ✓ More | 14.8% |
| Over 65 | 13.5% | 19.5% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Chico's cost of living index is 104.6 vs Daly City's 118.2 (US average = 100).
Chico is 14% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Daly City leads 12 of 23 categories. Chico wins 11 and Daly City 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 Daly City or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($427,600 vs $1,073,100 median home), income ($65,932 vs $114,910), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Chico, CA and Daly City, CA are about 147 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.