Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Chico, CA
VS
Round Rock, TX
🏆 Round Rock leads 17 of 22 categories
Chico
California
5
wins
Cost of Living Index
104.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$65,932
Violent Crime Index
184⚠ High
Population
102,790
Round Rock
Texas
17
wins
Cost of Living Index
97.6 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$91,888 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
34 ✓ Safer
Population
120,465 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Chico, CA
Pros
Rent averages $226/mo less ($1,360 vs $1,586)
Commutes run 8 min shorter each way
Cons
Median income trails Round Rock by $25,956/yr
Violent crime (699.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Pricier housing — median home is $427,600
Higher unemployment (6.9% vs 3.8%)
Round Rock, TX
Pros
81% less violent crime than Chico
Households earn $25,956 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.1 pts lower (3.8%)
Homes cost $90k less ($337,500 vs $427,600)
Violent crime is well below the national average (130.7 vs 380/100k)
7% cheaper overall cost of living than Chico
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,586/mo
Key Differences at a Glance
Round Rock
Cost of Living
7% cheaper
COL index 97.6 vs 104.6 (100 = US avg)
Round Rock
Median Income
$25,956
$91,888 vs $65,932/yr
Round Rock
Violent Crime
81% lower
130.7 vs 699.2 per 100k
Round Rock
Median Home Value
$90k less
$337,500 vs $427,600
Round Rock
Unemployment
3.1 pp lower
3.8% vs 6.9% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Chico, CA | Round Rock, TX |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 104.6⚠ High | 97.6 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $427,600⚠ High | $337,500⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,360⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,586⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $65,932 | $91,888 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9%⚠ High | 3.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 17.5 min ✓ Shorter | 25.2 min |
| Work From Home % | 11.5% | 19.6% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 147⚠ High | 58 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 184⚠ High | 34 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 90 ✓ Safer | 92 |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (112) | A- (115) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.9:1 | 14.6:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 41.3% | 42.3% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 93.2% | 93.2% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Inspire School of Arts and Sciences District | ROUND ROCK ISD |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 56.1°F | 59.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 95.2°F | 95.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 28.3" ✓ Drier | 36.2" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.1" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 102,790 | 120,465 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 35.9 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.1% | 55.6% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 18.7% | 25.0% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.5% ✓ More | 10.3% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Chico's cost of living index is 104.6 vs Round Rock's 97.6 (US average = 100).
Round Rock is 7% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Round Rock leads 17 of 22 categories. Chico wins 5 and Round Rock wins 17. 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 Round Rock or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($427,600 vs $337,500 median home), income ($65,932 vs $91,888), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Chico, CA and Round Rock, TX are about 1,500 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.