Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Chico, CA
VS
Richmond, CA
🏆 Chico leads 13 of 22 categories
Chico
California
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
104.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$65,932
Violent Crime Index
184⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
102,790
Richmond
California
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
118.2⚠ High
Median Household Income
$86,618 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
243⚠ High
Population
115,619 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Chico, CA
Pros
Homes cost $197k less ($427,600 vs $624,800)
Rent averages $493/mo less ($1,360 vs $1,853)
24% less violent crime than Richmond
Commutes run 17 min shorter each way
14% cheaper overall cost of living than Richmond
More college-educated — 41.3% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Violent crime (699.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Richmond by $20,686/yr
Richmond, CA
Pros
Households earn $20,686 more per year on average
Cooler summers — July highs near 71°F vs 95°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $624,800
Higher rents — median is $1,853/mo
Violent crime (923.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 118.2)
Key Differences at a Glance
Chico
Cost of Living
14% cheaper
COL index 104.6 vs 118.2 (100 = US avg)
Chico
Violent Crime
24% lower
699.2 vs 923.1 per 100k
Chico
Median Home Value
$197k less
$427,600 vs $624,800
Chico
Summer Heat
24.4°F warmer
July avg high 95.2°F vs 70.8°F
Richmond
Median Income
$20,686
$86,618 vs $65,932/yr
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Chico, CA | Richmond, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 104.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 118.2⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $427,600⚠ High ✓ Lower | $624,800⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,360⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,853⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $65,932 | $86,618 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9%⚠ High | 6.9%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 17.5 min ✓ Shorter | 34.6 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 11.5% ✓ Higher | 11.2% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 147⚠ High ✓ Safer | 198⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 184⚠ High ✓ Safer | 243⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 90 ✓ Safer | 132⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (112) ✓ Better | C+ (86) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.9:1 ✓ Smaller | 22.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 41.3% ✓ Higher | 32.1% |
| High School or Higher | 93.2% ✓ Higher | 79.4% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Inspire School of Arts and Sciences District | West Contra Costa Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 56.1°F | 58.2°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 95.2°F ✓ Warmer | 70.8°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 28.3" | 24.4" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.1" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 102,790 | 115,619 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 37.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.1% | 51.9% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 18.7% | 21.4% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.5% | 14.3% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Chico's cost of living index is 104.6 vs Richmond's 118.2 (US average = 100).
Chico is 14% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Chico leads 13 of 22 categories. Chico wins 13 and Richmond wins 9. 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 Richmond or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($427,600 vs $624,800 median home), income ($65,932 vs $86,618), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Chico, CA and Richmond, CA are about 128 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.