Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Chico, CA
VS
Pasadena, TX
🏆 Pasadena leads 12 of 23 categories
Chico
California
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
104.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$65,932 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
184⚠ High
Population
102,790
Pasadena
Texas
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
100.2⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$64,698
Violent Crime Index
149⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
150,620 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Chico, CA
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.0 pts lower (6.9%)
More college-educated — 41.3% hold a bachelor's or higher
Commutes run 8 min shorter each way
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $427,600
Violent crime (699.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher rents — median is $1,360/mo
Cost of living runs 4% higher than Pasadena
Pasadena, TX
Pros
Homes cost $256k less ($171,600 vs $427,600)
19% less violent crime than Chico
Rent averages $201/mo less ($1,159 vs $1,360)
Milder winters — January highs near 64°F vs 56°F
Smaller class sizes — 13.0:1 student-teacher ratio
4% cheaper overall cost of living than Chico
Cons
Violent crime (566.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher unemployment (8.9% vs 6.9%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Chico
Median Income
$1,234
$65,932 vs $64,698/yr
Chico
Unemployment
2.0 pp lower
6.9% vs 8.9% unemployment
Pasadena
Cost of Living
4% cheaper
COL index 100.2 vs 104.6 (100 = US avg)
Pasadena
Violent Crime
19% lower
566.1 vs 699.2 per 100k
Pasadena
Median Home Value
$256k less
$171,600 vs $427,600
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Chico, CA | Pasadena, TX |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 104.6⚠ High | 100.2⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $427,600⚠ High | $171,600 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,360⚠ High | $1,159 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $65,932 ✓ Higher | $64,698 |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 8.9%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 17.5 min ✓ Shorter | 25.7 min |
| Work From Home % | 11.5% ✓ Higher | 8.7% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 147⚠ High | 134⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 184⚠ High | 149⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 90 ✓ Safer | 112⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (112) ✓ Better | C+ (87) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.9:1 | 13.0:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 41.3% ✓ Higher | 15.9% |
| High School or Higher | 93.2% ✓ Higher | 73.0% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Inspire School of Arts and Sciences District | PASADENA ISD |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 56.1°F | 63.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 95.2°F ✓ Warmer | 92.9°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 28.3" ✓ Drier | 57.1" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.1" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 102,790 | 150,620 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 32.6 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.1% | 53.8% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 18.7% | 28.5% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.5% ✓ More | 11.2% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Chico's cost of living index is 104.6 vs Pasadena's 100.2 (US average = 100).
Pasadena is 4% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Pasadena leads 12 of 23 categories. Chico wins 11 and Pasadena 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 Pasadena or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($427,600 vs $171,600 median home), income ($65,932 vs $64,698), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Chico, CA and Pasadena, TX are about 1,659 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.