Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Chico, CA
VS
Jersey City, NJ
🏆 Chico leads 12 of 23 categories
Chico
California
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
104.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$65,932
Violent Crime Index
184⚠ High
Population
102,790
Jersey City
New Jersey
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
112.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$91,151 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
148⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
287,899 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Chico, CA
Pros
Commutes run 20 min shorter each way
Rent averages $439/mo less ($1,360 vs $1,799)
Homes cost $73k less ($427,600 vs $500,100)
Milder winters — January highs near 56°F vs 39°F
8% cheaper overall cost of living than Jersey City
Cons
Median income trails Jersey City by $25,219/yr
Violent crime (699.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher unemployment (6.9% vs 5.8%)
Jersey City, NJ
Pros
Households earn $25,219 more per year on average
20% less violent crime than Chico
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.1 pts lower (5.8%)
More college-educated — 51.9% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 87°F vs 95°F
Smaller class sizes — 12.1:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Violent crime (561.6/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher rents — median is $1,799/mo
Pricier housing — median home is $500,100
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 112.5)
Key Differences at a Glance
Chico
Cost of Living
8% cheaper
COL index 104.6 vs 112.5 (100 = US avg)
Chico
Median Home Value
$73k less
$427,600 vs $500,100
Chico
Summer Heat
8.4°F warmer
July avg high 95.2°F vs 86.8°F
Jersey City
Median Income
$25,219
$91,151 vs $65,932/yr
Jersey City
Violent Crime
20% lower
561.6 vs 699.2 per 100k
Jersey City
Unemployment
1.1 pp lower
5.8% vs 6.9% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Chico, CA | Jersey City, NJ |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 104.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 112.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $427,600⚠ High ✓ Lower | $500,100⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,360⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,799⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $65,932 | $91,151 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9%⚠ High | 5.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 17.5 min ✓ Shorter | 37.0 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 11.5% | 18.7% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 147⚠ High | 127⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 184⚠ High | 148⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 90 ✓ Safer | 97 |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (112) | A- (117) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.9:1 | 12.1:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 41.3% | 51.9% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 93.2% ✓ Higher | 90.0% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Inspire School of Arts and Sciences District | Jersey City Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 56.1°F ✓ Warmer | 39.4°F |
| Avg High — July | 95.2°F ✓ Warmer | 86.8°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 28.3" ✓ Drier | 50.4" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.1" ✓ Less | 28.2" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 102,790 | 287,899 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 34.6 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.1% ✓ Higher | 29.2% |
| Under 18 | 18.7% | 20.3% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.5% ✓ More | 11.3% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Chico's cost of living index is 104.6 vs Jersey City's 112.5 (US average = 100).
Chico is 8% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Chico leads 12 of 23 categories. Chico wins 12 and Jersey City 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 Jersey City or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($427,600 vs $500,100 median home), income ($65,932 vs $91,151), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Chico, CA and Jersey City, NJ are about 2,488 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.