Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Chico, CA
VS
Metairie, LA
🏆 Metairie leads 15 of 23 categories
Chico
California
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
104.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$65,932
Violent Crime Index
184⚠ High
Population
102,790
Metairie
Louisiana
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
91.1 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$72,070 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
103⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
140,046 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Chico, CA
Pros
Commutes run 4 min shorter each way
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $427,600
Violent crime (699.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher rents — median is $1,360/mo
Cost of living runs 14% higher than Metairie
Metairie, LA
Pros
Homes cost $138k less ($289,800 vs $427,600)
44% less violent crime than Chico
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.6 pts lower (4.3%)
Rent averages $240/mo less ($1,120 vs $1,360)
14% cheaper overall cost of living than Chico
Households earn $6,138 more per year on average
Cons
Property crime (2629.4/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Chico
Summer Heat
3.8°F warmer
July avg high 95.2°F vs 91.4°F
Metairie
Cost of Living
14% cheaper
COL index 91.1 vs 104.6 (100 = US avg)
Metairie
Median Income
$6,138
$72,070 vs $65,932/yr
Metairie
Violent Crime
44% lower
390.1 vs 699.2 per 100k
Metairie
Median Home Value
$138k less
$289,800 vs $427,600
Metairie
Unemployment
2.6 pp lower
4.3% vs 6.9% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Chico, CA | Metairie, LA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 104.6⚠ High | 91.1 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $427,600⚠ High | $289,800 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,360⚠ High | $1,120 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $65,932 | $72,070 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9%⚠ High | 4.3%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 17.5 min ✓ Shorter | 21.1 min |
| Work From Home % | 11.5% ✓ Higher | 8.4% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 147⚠ High | 112⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 184⚠ High | 103⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 90 ✓ Safer | 125⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (112) ✓ Better | B (102) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.9:1 | 14.4:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 41.3% ✓ Higher | 39.0% |
| High School or Higher | 93.2% ✓ Higher | 92.5% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Inspire School of Arts and Sciences District | Jefferson Parish |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 56.1°F | 62.5°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 95.2°F ✓ Warmer | 91.4°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 28.3" ✓ Drier | 68.3" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.1" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 102,790 | 140,046 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 42.4 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.1% | 62.8% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 18.7% | 19.6% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.5% | 21.5% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Chico's cost of living index is 104.6 vs Metairie's 91.1 (US average = 100).
Metairie is 14% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Metairie leads 15 of 23 categories. Chico wins 8 and Metairie wins 15. 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 Metairie or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($427,600 vs $289,800 median home), income ($65,932 vs $72,070), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Chico, CA and Metairie, LA are about 1,904 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.