Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Chico, CA
VS
Norwalk, 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 ✓ Larger
Norwalk
California
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
115.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$91,259 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
99 ✓ Safer
Population
101,893
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Chico, CA
Pros
Homes cost $166k less ($427,600 vs $593,100)
Rent averages $500/mo less ($1,360 vs $1,860)
Commutes run 12 min shorter each way
More college-educated — 41.3% hold a bachelor's or higher
11% cheaper overall cost of living than Norwalk
Smaller class sizes — 14.9:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Median income trails Norwalk by $25,327/yr
Violent crime (699.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher unemployment (6.9% vs 5.6%)
Norwalk, CA
Pros
46% less violent crime than Chico
Households earn $25,327 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.3 pts lower (5.6%)
Milder winters — January highs near 69°F vs 56°F
Cooler summers — July highs near 84°F vs 95°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $593,100
Higher rents — median is $1,860/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
$166k less
$427,600 vs $593,100
Chico
Summer Heat
10.8°F warmer
July avg high 95.2°F vs 84.4°F
Norwalk
Median Income
$25,327
$91,259 vs $65,932/yr
Norwalk
Violent Crime
46% lower
374.4 vs 699.2 per 100k
Norwalk
Unemployment
1.3 pp lower
5.6% vs 6.9% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Chico, CA | Norwalk, 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 | $593,100⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,360⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,860⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $65,932 | $91,259 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9%⚠ High | 5.6%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 17.5 min ✓ Shorter | 29.5 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 11.5% ✓ Higher | 5.9% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 147⚠ High | 96 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 184⚠ High | 99 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 90 ✓ Safer | 93 |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (112) ✓ Better | C+ (83) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.9:1 ✓ Smaller | 22.8:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 41.3% ✓ Higher | 20.0% |
| High School or Higher | 93.2% ✓ Higher | 76.8% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Inspire School of Arts and Sciences District | Norwalk-La Mirada Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 56.1°F | 68.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 95.2°F ✓ Warmer | 84.4°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 28.3" | 15.2" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.1" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 102,790 ✓ Larger | 101,893 |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 35.6 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.1% | 67.6% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 18.7% | 22.9% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.5% | 13.5% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Chico's cost of living index is 104.6 vs Norwalk's 115.5 (US average = 100).
Chico is 11% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Chico leads 12 of 22 categories. Chico wins 12 and Norwalk 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 Norwalk or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($427,600 vs $593,100 median home), income ($65,932 vs $91,259), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Chico, CA and Norwalk, CA are about 454 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.