Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Chico, CA
VS
Salem, OR
🏆 Salem leads 13 of 23 categories
Chico
California
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
104.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$65,932
Violent Crime Index
184⚠ High
Population
102,790
Salem
Oregon
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.4⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$67,540 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
140⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
175,754 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Chico, CA
Pros
Commutes run 5 min shorter each way
More college-educated — 41.3% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 56°F vs 48°F
Smaller class sizes — 14.9:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Violent crime (699.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Pricier housing — median home is $427,600
Higher rents — median is $1,360/mo
Higher unemployment (6.9% vs 6.1%)
Salem, OR
Pros
24% less violent crime than Chico
Homes cost $78k less ($349,500 vs $427,600)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.8 pts lower (6.1%)
Rent averages $136/mo less ($1,224 vs $1,360)
Cooler summers — July highs near 84°F vs 95°F
2% cheaper overall cost of living than Chico
Cons
Violent crime (532.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (2803.3/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Chico
Summer Heat
11.7°F warmer
July avg high 95.2°F vs 83.5°F
Salem
Cost of Living
2% cheaper
COL index 102.4 vs 104.6 (100 = US avg)
Salem
Median Income
$1,608
$67,540 vs $65,932/yr
Salem
Violent Crime
24% lower
532.2 vs 699.2 per 100k
Salem
Median Home Value
$78k less
$349,500 vs $427,600
Salem
Unemployment
0.8 pp lower
6.1% vs 6.9% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Chico, CA | Salem, OR |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 104.6⚠ High | 102.4⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $427,600⚠ High | $349,500⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,360⚠ High | $1,224 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $65,932 | $67,540 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9%⚠ High | 6.1%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 17.5 min ✓ Shorter | 22.7 min |
| Work From Home % | 11.5% | 12.3% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 147⚠ High | 137⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 184⚠ High | 140⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 90 ✓ Safer | 133⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (112) ✓ Better | C+ (89) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.9:1 ✓ Smaller | 19.6:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 41.3% ✓ Higher | 31.0% |
| High School or Higher | 93.2% ✓ Higher | 88.5% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Inspire School of Arts and Sciences District | Salem-Keizer SD 24J |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 56.1°F ✓ Warmer | 48.4°F |
| Avg High — July | 95.2°F ✓ Warmer | 83.5°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 28.3" ✓ Drier | 46.5" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.1" ✓ Less | 1.1" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 102,790 | 175,754 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 35.9 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.1% | 54.9% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 18.7% | 23.2% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.5% | 15.3% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Chico's cost of living index is 104.6 vs Salem's 102.4 (US average = 100).
Salem is 2% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Salem leads 13 of 23 categories. Chico wins 10 and Salem wins 13. 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 Salem or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($427,600 vs $349,500 median home), income ($65,932 vs $67,540), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Chico, CA and Salem, OR are about 362 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.