Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Chico, CA
VS
Rialto, 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
Rialto
California
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
107.9⚠ High
Median Household Income
$80,750 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
169⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
103,873 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Chico, CA
Pros
Commutes run 16 min shorter each way
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.4 pts lower (6.9%)
More college-educated — 41.3% hold a bachelor's or higher
Rent averages $193/mo less ($1,360 vs $1,553)
Smaller class sizes — 14.9:1 student-teacher ratio
3% cheaper overall cost of living than Rialto
Cons
Violent crime (699.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Rialto by $14,818/yr
Rialto, CA
Pros
8% less violent crime than Chico
Households earn $14,818 more per year on average
Milder winters — January highs near 70°F vs 56°F
Cons
Violent crime (641.7/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher rents — median is $1,553/mo
Higher unemployment (9.3% vs 6.9%)
Longer commutes — 33.3 min average each way
Key Differences at a Glance
Chico
Cost of Living
3% cheaper
COL index 104.6 vs 107.9 (100 = US avg)
Chico
Unemployment
2.4 pp lower
6.9% vs 9.3% unemployment
Rialto
Median Income
$14,818
$80,750 vs $65,932/yr
Rialto
Violent Crime
8% lower
641.7 vs 699.2 per 100k
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Chico, CA | Rialto, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 104.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 107.9⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $427,600⚠ High | $418,300⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,360⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,553⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $65,932 | $80,750 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 9.3%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 17.5 min ✓ Shorter | 33.3 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 11.5% ✓ Higher | 6.4% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 147⚠ High | 147⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 184⚠ High | 169⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 90 ✓ Safer | 114⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (112) ✓ Better | C (81) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.9:1 ✓ Smaller | 23.2:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 41.3% ✓ Higher | 12.3% |
| High School or Higher | 93.2% ✓ Higher | 74.7% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Inspire School of Arts and Sciences District | Rialto Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 56.1°F | 69.5°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 95.2°F ✓ Warmer | 94.1°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 28.3" | 17.3" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.1" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 102,790 | 103,873 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 31.2 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.1% | 62.9% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 18.7% | 27.0% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.5% ✓ More | 9.8% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Chico's cost of living index is 104.6 vs Rialto's 107.9 (US average = 100).
Chico is 3% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Chico leads 12 of 22 categories. Chico wins 12 and Rialto 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 Rialto or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($427,600 vs $418,300 median home), income ($65,932 vs $80,750), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Chico, CA and Rialto, CA are about 460 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.