Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Chico, CA
VS
El Cajon, CA
🏆 Chico leads 13 of 22 categories
Chico
California
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
104.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$65,932 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
184⚠ High
Population
102,790
El Cajon
California
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
111.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$64,128
Violent Crime Index
114⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
105,721 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Chico, CA
Pros
Homes cost $166k less ($427,600 vs $593,500)
Rent averages $326/mo less ($1,360 vs $1,686)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.2 pts lower (6.9%)
More college-educated — 41.3% hold a bachelor's or higher
Commutes run 8 min shorter each way
7% cheaper overall cost of living than El Cajon
Cons
Violent crime (699.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
El Cajon, CA
Pros
38% less violent crime than Chico
Milder winters — January highs near 69°F vs 56°F
Cooler summers — July highs near 86°F vs 95°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $593,500
Higher rents — median is $1,686/mo
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 111.5)
Higher unemployment (8.1% vs 6.9%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Chico
Cost of Living
7% cheaper
COL index 104.6 vs 111.5 (100 = US avg)
Chico
Median Income
$1,804
$65,932 vs $64,128/yr
Chico
Median Home Value
$166k less
$427,600 vs $593,500
Chico
Unemployment
1.2 pp lower
6.9% vs 8.1% unemployment
Chico
Summer Heat
9.1°F warmer
July avg high 95.2°F vs 86.1°F
El Cajon
Violent Crime
38% lower
434.4 vs 699.2 per 100k
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Chico, CA | El Cajon, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 104.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 111.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $427,600⚠ High ✓ Lower | $593,500⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,360⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,686⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $65,932 ✓ Higher | $64,128 |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 8.1%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 17.5 min ✓ Shorter | 25.4 min |
| Work From Home % | 11.5% ✓ Higher | 8.8% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 147⚠ High | 97 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 184⚠ High | 114⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 90 | 71 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (112) ✓ Better | C- (66) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.9:1 ✓ Smaller | 23.8:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 41.3% ✓ Higher | 23.0% |
| High School or Higher | 93.2% ✓ Higher | 84.8% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Inspire School of Arts and Sciences District | Cajon Valley Union |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 56.1°F | 69.3°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 95.2°F ✓ Warmer | 86.1°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 28.3" | 13.5" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.1" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 102,790 | 105,721 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 35.6 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.1% ✓ Higher | 41.7% |
| Under 18 | 18.7% | 24.6% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.5% | 13.5% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Chico's cost of living index is 104.6 vs El Cajon's 111.5 (US average = 100).
Chico is 7% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Chico leads 13 of 22 categories. Chico wins 13 and El Cajon wins 9. 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 El Cajon or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($427,600 vs $593,500 median home), income ($65,932 vs $64,128), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Chico, CA and El Cajon, CA are about 551 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.