Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Chico, CA
VS
Miramar, FL
🏆 Chico leads 11 of 20 categories
Chico
California
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
104.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$65,932
Violent Crime Index
184⚠ High
Population
102,790
Miramar
Florida
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
111.8⚠ High
Median Household Income
$81,812 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
—
Population
135,158 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Chico, CA
Pros
Rent averages $480/mo less ($1,360 vs $1,840)
Commutes run 12 min shorter each way
More college-educated — 41.3% hold a bachelor's or higher
7% cheaper overall cost of living than Miramar
Smaller class sizes — 14.9:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Violent crime (699.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Miramar by $15,880/yr
Pricier housing — median home is $427,600
Higher unemployment (6.9% vs 4.2%)
Miramar, FL
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.7 pts lower (4.2%)
Households earn $15,880 more per year on average
Homes cost $49k less ($378,200 vs $427,600)
Milder winters — January highs near 77°F vs 56°F
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,840/mo
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 111.8)
Longer commutes — 29.7 min average each way
Cost of living runs 7% higher than Chico
Key Differences at a Glance
Chico
Cost of Living
7% cheaper
COL index 104.6 vs 111.8 (100 = US avg)
Chico
Summer Heat
4.4°F warmer
July avg high 95.2°F vs 90.8°F
Miramar
Median Income
$15,880
$81,812 vs $65,932/yr
Miramar
Median Home Value
$49k less
$378,200 vs $427,600
Miramar
Unemployment
2.7 pp lower
4.2% vs 6.9% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Chico, CA | Miramar, FL |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 104.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 111.8⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $427,600⚠ High | $378,200⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,360⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,840⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $65,932 | $81,812 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9%⚠ High | 4.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 17.5 min ✓ Shorter | 29.7 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 11.5% ✓ Higher | 6.8% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 147⚠ High | — |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 184⚠ High | — |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 90 | — |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (112) ✓ Better | B- (91) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.9:1 ✓ Smaller | 21.7:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 41.3% ✓ Higher | 30.8% |
| High School or Higher | 93.2% ✓ Higher | 91.2% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Inspire School of Arts and Sciences District | BROWARD |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 56.1°F | 76.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 95.2°F ✓ Warmer | 90.8°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 28.3" ✓ Drier | 67.0" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.1" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 102,790 | 135,158 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 38.8 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.1% | 69.4% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 18.7% | 22.1% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.5% ✓ More | 11.8% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Chico's cost of living index is 104.6 vs Miramar's 111.8 (US average = 100).
Chico is 7% less expensive overall.
Based on the 20 decided categories above, Chico leads 11 of 20 categories. Chico wins 11 and Miramar wins 9. 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 Miramar or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($427,600 vs $378,200 median home), income ($65,932 vs $81,812), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Chico, CA and Miramar, FL are about 2,562 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.