Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Chico, CA
VS
Modesto, CA
🏆 Chico leads 12 of 22 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
Modesto
California
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.0⚠ High
Median Household Income
$73,375 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
173⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
218,308 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Chico, CA
Pros
Commutes run 12 min shorter each way
More college-educated — 41.3% hold a bachelor's or higher
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.9 pts lower (6.9%)
Rent averages $137/mo less ($1,360 vs $1,497)
Smaller class sizes — 14.9:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Violent crime (699.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Pricier housing — median home is $427,600
Median income trails Modesto by $7,443/yr
Modesto, CA
Pros
6% less violent crime than Chico
Homes cost $46k less ($381,800 vs $427,600)
Households earn $7,443 more per year on average
Cons
Violent crime (655.7/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher unemployment (7.8% vs 6.9%)
Higher rents — median is $1,497/mo
Longer commutes — 29.4 min average each way
Key Differences at a Glance
Chico
Unemployment
0.9 pp lower
6.9% vs 7.8% unemployment
Both cities
Cost of Living
≈ Equal
Both near 104.6 on the COL index
Modesto
Median Income
$7,443
$73,375 vs $65,932/yr
Modesto
Violent Crime
6% lower
655.7 vs 699.2 per 100k
Modesto
Median Home Value
$46k less
$381,800 vs $427,600
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Chico, CA | Modesto, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 104.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 105.0⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $427,600⚠ High | $381,800⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,360⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,497⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $65,932 | $73,375 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 7.8%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 17.5 min ✓ Shorter | 29.4 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 11.5% ✓ Higher | 6.9% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 147⚠ High ✓ Safer | 150⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 184⚠ High | 173⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 90 ✓ Safer | 115⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (112) ✓ Better | C- (65) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.9:1 ✓ Smaller | 21.8:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 41.3% ✓ Higher | 19.7% |
| High School or Higher | 93.2% ✓ Higher | 83.6% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Inspire School of Arts and Sciences District | Modesto City Elementary |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 56.1°F | 56.1°F |
| Avg High — July | 95.2°F ✓ Warmer | 95.0°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 28.3" | 12.3" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.1" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 102,790 | 218,308 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 34.9 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.1% | 57.7% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 18.7% | 26.5% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.5% | 13.9% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Chico's cost of living index is 104.6 vs Modesto's 105.0 (US average = 100).
Chico is 0% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Chico leads 12 of 22 categories. Chico wins 12 and Modesto wins 10. 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 Modesto or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($427,600 vs $381,800 median home), income ($65,932 vs $73,375), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Chico, CA and Modesto, CA are about 153 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.