Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Chico, CA
VS
Pompano Beach, FL
🏆 Chico leads 12 of 19 categories
Chico
California
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
104.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$65,932 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
184⚠ High
Population
102,790
Pompano Beach
Florida
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
111.8⚠ High
Median Household Income
$61,155
Violent Crime Index
—
Population
111,790 ✓ 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 1.8 pts lower (6.9%)
Commutes run 10 min shorter each way
Rent averages $167/mo less ($1,360 vs $1,527)
More college-educated — 41.3% hold a bachelor's or higher
Households earn $4,777 more per year on average
7% cheaper overall cost of living than Pompano Beach
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $427,600
Violent crime (699.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Pompano Beach, FL
Pros
Homes cost $134k less ($293,300 vs $427,600)
Milder winters — January highs near 76°F vs 56°F
Cons
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 111.8)
Higher rents — median is $1,527/mo
Higher unemployment (8.7% vs 6.9%)
Median income trails Chico by $4,777/yr
Key Differences at a Glance
Chico
Cost of Living
7% cheaper
COL index 104.6 vs 111.8 (100 = US avg)
Chico
Median Income
$4,777
$65,932 vs $61,155/yr
Chico
Unemployment
1.8 pp lower
6.9% vs 8.7% unemployment
Chico
Summer Heat
4.7°F warmer
July avg high 95.2°F vs 90.5°F
Pompano Beach
Median Home Value
$134k less
$293,300 vs $427,600
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Chico, CA | Pompano Beach, FL |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 104.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 111.8⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $427,600⚠ High | $293,300 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,360⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,527⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $65,932 ✓ Higher | $61,155 |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 8.7%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 17.5 min ✓ Shorter | 27.0 min |
| Work From Home % | 11.5% ✓ Higher | 9.9% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 147⚠ High | — |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 184⚠ High | — |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 90 | — |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (112) ✓ Better | B- (91) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.9:1 ✓ Smaller | 21.7:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 41.3% ✓ Higher | 30.1% |
| High School or Higher | 93.2% ✓ Higher | 85.2% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Inspire School of Arts and Sciences District | BROWARD |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 56.1°F | 76.3°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 95.2°F ✓ Warmer | 90.5°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 28.3" ✓ Drier | 55.6" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.1" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 102,790 | 111,790 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 41.5 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.1% | 53.1% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 18.7% | 18.7% |
| Over 65 | 13.5% | 18.6% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Chico's cost of living index is 104.6 vs Pompano Beach's 111.8 (US average = 100).
Chico is 7% less expensive overall.
Based on the 19 decided categories above, Chico leads 12 of 19 categories. Chico wins 12 and Pompano Beach wins 7. 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 Pompano Beach or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($427,600 vs $293,300 median home), income ($65,932 vs $61,155), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Chico, CA and Pompano Beach, FL are about 2,562 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.