Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Chico, CA
VS
Norwalk, CT
🏆 Norwalk leads 12 of 23 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 ✓ Larger
Norwalk
Connecticut
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
106.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$97,879 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
22 ✓ Safer
Population
91,050
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Chico, CA
Pros
Rent averages $501/mo less ($1,360 vs $1,861)
Commutes run 10 min shorter each way
Homes cost $64k less ($427,600 vs $491,800)
Milder winters — January highs near 56°F vs 38°F
Cons
Median income trails Norwalk by $31,947/yr
Violent crime (699.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher unemployment (6.9% vs 5.9%)
Norwalk, CT
Pros
88% less violent crime than Chico
Households earn $31,947 more per year on average
Violent crime is well below the national average (85.0 vs 380/100k)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.0 pts lower (5.9%)
Cooler summers — July highs near 85°F vs 95°F
Smaller class sizes — 12.5:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,861/mo
Pricier housing — median home is $491,800
Key Differences at a Glance
Chico
Cost of Living
2% cheaper
COL index 104.6 vs 106.5 (100 = US avg)
Chico
Median Home Value
$64k less
$427,600 vs $491,800
Chico
Summer Heat
10.4°F warmer
July avg high 95.2°F vs 84.8°F
Norwalk
Median Income
$31,947
$97,879 vs $65,932/yr
Norwalk
Violent Crime
88% lower
85.0 vs 699.2 per 100k
Norwalk
Unemployment
1.0 pp lower
5.9% vs 6.9% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Chico, CA | Norwalk, CT |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 104.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 106.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $427,600⚠ High ✓ Lower | $491,800⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,360⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,861⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $65,932 | $97,879 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9%⚠ High | 5.9%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 17.5 min ✓ Shorter | 27.3 min |
| Work From Home % | 11.5% ✓ Higher | 11.4% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 147⚠ High | 42 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 184⚠ High | 22 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 90 | 72 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (112) | A- (113) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.9:1 | 12.5:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 41.3% | 42.6% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 93.2% ✓ Higher | 88.6% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Inspire School of Arts and Sciences District | Norwalk School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 56.1°F ✓ Warmer | 38.0°F |
| Avg High — July | 95.2°F ✓ Warmer | 84.8°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 28.3" ✓ Drier | 51.4" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.1" ✓ Less | 34.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 102,790 ✓ Larger | 91,050 |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 40.0 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.1% | 54.8% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 18.7% | 19.4% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.5% | 15.8% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Chico's cost of living index is 104.6 vs Norwalk's 106.5 (US average = 100).
Chico is 2% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Norwalk leads 12 of 23 categories. Chico wins 11 and Norwalk wins 12. 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 $491,800 median home), income ($65,932 vs $97,879), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Chico, CA and Norwalk, CT are about 2,514 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.