Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Chico, CA
VS
Greeley, CO
🏆 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
Population
102,790
Greeley
Colorado
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
96.0 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$65,525
Violent Crime Index
177⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
107,949 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Chico, CA
Pros
Commutes run 7 min shorter each way
More college-educated — 41.3% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 56°F vs 44°F
Smaller class sizes — 14.9:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Violent crime (699.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Pricier housing — median home is $427,600
Higher rents — median is $1,360/mo
Higher unemployment (6.9% vs 5.6%)
Greeley, CO
Pros
4% less violent crime than Chico
Homes cost $81k less ($346,400 vs $427,600)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.3 pts lower (5.6%)
Rent averages $152/mo less ($1,208 vs $1,360)
9% cheaper overall cost of living than Chico
Cons
Violent crime (670.7/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3019.6/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Chico
Summer Heat
3.5°F warmer
July avg high 95.2°F vs 91.7°F
Greeley
Cost of Living
9% cheaper
COL index 96.0 vs 104.6 (100 = US avg)
Greeley
Violent Crime
4% lower
670.7 vs 699.2 per 100k
Greeley
Median Home Value
$81k less
$346,400 vs $427,600
Greeley
Unemployment
1.3 pp lower
5.6% vs 6.9% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Chico, CA | Greeley, CO |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 104.6⚠ High | 96.0 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $427,600⚠ High | $346,400⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,360⚠ High | $1,208 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $65,932 ✓ Higher | $65,525 |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9%⚠ High | 5.6%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 17.5 min ✓ Shorter | 24.9 min |
| Work From Home % | 11.5% ✓ Higher | 7.4% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 147⚠ High ✓ Safer | 163⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 184⚠ High | 177⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 90 ✓ Safer | 144⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (112) ✓ Better | C+ (88) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.9:1 ✓ Smaller | 18.5:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 41.3% ✓ Higher | 26.8% |
| High School or Higher | 93.2% ✓ Higher | 83.6% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Inspire School of Arts and Sciences District | GreeleySchool District No. 6 in the county of Weld and Sta |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 56.1°F ✓ Warmer | 44.1°F |
| Avg High — July | 95.2°F ✓ Warmer | 91.7°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 28.3" | 14.4" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.1" ✓ Less | 34.9" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 102,790 | 107,949 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 31.9 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.1% | 60.6% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 18.7% | 24.1% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.5% ✓ More | 13.1% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Chico's cost of living index is 104.6 vs Greeley's 96.0 (US average = 100).
Greeley is 9% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Chico leads 13 of 23 categories. Chico wins 13 and Greeley 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 Greeley or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($427,600 vs $346,400 median home), income ($65,932 vs $65,525), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Chico, CA and Greeley, CO are about 901 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.