Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Chico, CA
VS
Hoover, AL
🏆 Hoover leads 17 of 23 categories
Chico
California
6
wins
Cost of Living Index
104.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$65,932
Violent Crime Index
184⚠ High
Population
102,790 ✓ Larger
Hoover
Alabama
17
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.6 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$101,765 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
21 ✓ Safer
Population
91,995
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Chico, CA
Pros
Commutes run 8 min shorter each way
Cons
Median income trails Hoover by $35,833/yr
Violent crime (699.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Pricier housing — median home is $427,600
Cost of living runs 12% higher than Hoover
Hoover, AL
Pros
89% less violent crime than Chico
Households earn $35,833 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.0 pts lower (3.9%)
Violent crime is well below the national average (78.0 vs 380/100k)
More college-educated — 60.2% hold a bachelor's or higher
Homes cost $61k less ($366,200 vs $427,600)
Cons
Nothing stands out — a close match here.
Key Differences at a Glance
Chico
Summer Heat
3.0°F warmer
July avg high 95.2°F vs 92.2°F
Hoover
Cost of Living
12% cheaper
COL index 92.6 vs 104.6 (100 = US avg)
Hoover
Median Income
$35,833
$101,765 vs $65,932/yr
Hoover
Violent Crime
89% lower
78.0 vs 699.2 per 100k
Hoover
Median Home Value
$61k less
$366,200 vs $427,600
Hoover
Unemployment
3.0 pp lower
3.9% vs 6.9% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Chico, CA | Hoover, AL |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 104.6⚠ High | 92.6 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $427,600⚠ High | $366,200⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,360⚠ High | $1,352⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $65,932 | $101,765 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9%⚠ High | 3.9%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 17.5 min ✓ Shorter | 25.0 min |
| Work From Home % | 11.5% | 12.8% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 147⚠ High | 36 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 184⚠ High | 21 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 90 | 60 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (112) | A (122) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.9:1 | 14.5:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 41.3% | 60.2% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 93.2% | 96.7% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Inspire School of Arts and Sciences District | Hoover City |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 56.1°F ✓ Warmer | 54.8°F |
| Avg High — July | 95.2°F ✓ Warmer | 92.2°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 28.3" ✓ Drier | 59.0" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.1" ✓ Less | 1.2" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 102,790 ✓ Larger | 91,995 |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 38.3 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.1% | 69.5% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 18.7% | 24.2% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.5% | 16.1% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Chico's cost of living index is 104.6 vs Hoover's 92.6 (US average = 100).
Hoover is 12% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Hoover leads 17 of 23 categories. Chico wins 6 and Hoover wins 17. 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 Hoover or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($427,600 vs $366,200 median home), income ($65,932 vs $101,765), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Chico, CA and Hoover, AL are about 1,979 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.