Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Chico, CA
VS
Mission Viejo, CA
🏆 Mission Viejo leads 15 of 23 categories
Chico
California
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
104.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$65,932
Violent Crime Index
184⚠ High
Population
102,790 ✓ Larger
Mission Viejo
California
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
115.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$136,570 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
26 ✓ Safer
Population
93,233
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Chico, CA
Pros
Homes cost $456k less ($427,600 vs $883,600)
Rent averages $1262/mo less ($1,360 vs $2,622)
Commutes run 10 min shorter each way
11% cheaper overall cost of living than Mission Viejo
Smaller class sizes — 14.9:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Median income trails Mission Viejo by $70,638/yr
Violent crime (699.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher unemployment (6.9% vs 4.4%)
Mission Viejo, CA
Pros
Households earn $70,638 more per year on average
86% less violent crime than Chico
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.5 pts lower (4.4%)
Violent crime is well below the national average (99.2 vs 380/100k)
More college-educated — 51.2% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 80°F vs 95°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $883,600
Higher rents — median is $2,622/mo
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 115.5)
Cost of living runs 11% higher than Chico
Key Differences at a Glance
Chico
Cost of Living
11% cheaper
COL index 104.6 vs 115.5 (100 = US avg)
Chico
Median Home Value
$456k less
$427,600 vs $883,600
Chico
Summer Heat
15.7°F warmer
July avg high 95.2°F vs 79.5°F
Mission Viejo
Median Income
$70,638
$136,570 vs $65,932/yr
Mission Viejo
Violent Crime
86% lower
99.2 vs 699.2 per 100k
Mission Viejo
Unemployment
2.5 pp lower
4.4% vs 6.9% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Chico, CA | Mission Viejo, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 104.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 115.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $427,600⚠ High ✓ Lower | $883,600⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,360⚠ High ✓ Lower | $2,622⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $65,932 | $136,570 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9%⚠ High | 4.4%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 17.5 min ✓ Shorter | 27.3 min |
| Work From Home % | 11.5% | 18.4% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 147⚠ High | 38 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 184⚠ High | 26 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 90 | 56 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (112) ✓ Better | B+ (107) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.9:1 ✓ Smaller | 22.7:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 41.3% | 51.2% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 93.2% | 94.2% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Inspire School of Arts and Sciences District | Saddleback Valley Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 56.1°F | 68.4°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 95.2°F ✓ Warmer | 79.5°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 28.3" | 15.2" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.1" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 102,790 ✓ Larger | 93,233 |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 46.0 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.1% | 77.5% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 18.7% | 19.7% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.5% | 22.1% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Chico's cost of living index is 104.6 vs Mission Viejo's 115.5 (US average = 100).
Chico is 11% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Mission Viejo leads 15 of 23 categories. Chico wins 8 and Mission Viejo 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 Mission Viejo or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($427,600 vs $883,600 median home), income ($65,932 vs $136,570), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Chico, CA and Mission Viejo, CA are about 483 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.