Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Chico, CA
VS
Lee's Summit, MO
🏆 Lee's Summit leads 16 of 23 categories
Chico
California
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
104.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$65,932
Violent Crime Index
184⚠ High
Population
102,790 ✓ Larger
Lee's Summit
Missouri
16
wins
Cost of Living Index
93.3 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$103,447 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
39 ✓ Safer
Population
101,728
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Chico, CA
Pros
Commutes run 9 min shorter each way
Milder winters — January highs near 56°F vs 39°F
Cons
Median income trails Lee's Summit by $37,515/yr
Pricier housing — median home is $427,600
Violent crime (699.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 11% higher than Lee's Summit
Lee's Summit, MO
Pros
79% less violent crime than Chico
Households earn $37,515 more per year on average
Homes cost $136k less ($291,400 vs $427,600)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.1 pts lower (3.8%)
Violent crime is well below the national average (149.4 vs 380/100k)
11% cheaper overall cost of living than Chico
Cons
Nothing stands out — a close match here.
Key Differences at a Glance
Chico
Summer Heat
6.9°F warmer
July avg high 95.2°F vs 88.3°F
Lee's Summit
Cost of Living
11% cheaper
COL index 93.3 vs 104.6 (100 = US avg)
Lee's Summit
Median Income
$37,515
$103,447 vs $65,932/yr
Lee's Summit
Violent Crime
79% lower
149.4 vs 699.2 per 100k
Lee's Summit
Median Home Value
$136k less
$291,400 vs $427,600
Lee's Summit
Unemployment
3.1 pp lower
3.8% vs 6.9% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Chico, CA | Lee's Summit, MO |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 104.6⚠ High | 93.3 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $427,600⚠ High | $291,400 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,360⚠ High | $1,295 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $65,932 | $103,447 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9%⚠ High | 3.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 17.5 min ✓ Shorter | 26.1 min |
| Work From Home % | 11.5% | 16.0% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 147⚠ High | 67 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 184⚠ High | 39 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 90 ✓ Safer | 109⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (112) | A (118) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.9:1 | 14.6:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 41.3% | 48.7% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 93.2% | 97.4% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Inspire School of Arts and Sciences District | LEE'S SUMMIT R-VII |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 56.1°F ✓ Warmer | 39.0°F |
| Avg High — July | 95.2°F ✓ Warmer | 88.3°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 28.3" ✓ Drier | 43.9" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.1" ✓ Less | 8.6" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 102,790 ✓ Larger | 101,728 |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 38.6 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.1% | 75.1% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 18.7% | 25.7% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.5% | 15.2% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Chico's cost of living index is 104.6 vs Lee's Summit's 93.3 (US average = 100).
Lee's Summit is 11% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Lee's Summit leads 16 of 23 categories. Chico wins 7 and Lee's Summit wins 16. 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 Lee's Summit or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($427,600 vs $291,400 median home), income ($65,932 vs $103,447), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Chico, CA and Lee's Summit, MO are about 1,461 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.