Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Chico, CA
VS
San Mateo, CA
🏆 San Mateo leads 16 of 23 categories
Chico
California
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
104.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$65,932
Violent Crime Index
184⚠ High
Population
102,790
San Mateo
California
16
wins
Cost of Living Index
118.2⚠ High
Median Household Income
$149,152 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
64 ✓ Safer
Population
104,165 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Chico, CA
Pros
Homes cost $1081k less ($427,600 vs $1,508,900)
Rent averages $1611/mo less ($1,360 vs $2,971)
Commutes run 11 min shorter each way
14% cheaper overall cost of living than San Mateo
Smaller class sizes — 14.9:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Median income trails San Mateo by $83,220/yr
Violent crime (699.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher unemployment (6.9% vs 4.7%)
San Mateo, CA
Pros
Households earn $83,220 more per year on average
65% less violent crime than Chico
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.2 pts lower (4.7%)
Violent crime is well below the national average (243.2 vs 380/100k)
More college-educated — 58.2% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 73°F vs 95°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $1,508,900
Higher rents — median is $2,971/mo
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 118.2)
Cost of living runs 14% higher than Chico
Key Differences at a Glance
Chico
Cost of Living
14% cheaper
COL index 104.6 vs 118.2 (100 = US avg)
Chico
Median Home Value
$1081k less
$427,600 vs $1,508,900
Chico
Summer Heat
22.6°F warmer
July avg high 95.2°F vs 72.6°F
San Mateo
Median Income
$83,220
$149,152 vs $65,932/yr
San Mateo
Violent Crime
65% lower
243.2 vs 699.2 per 100k
San Mateo
Unemployment
2.2 pp lower
4.7% vs 6.9% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Chico, CA | San Mateo, 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 | $1,508,900⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,360⚠ High ✓ Lower | $2,971⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $65,932 | $149,152 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9%⚠ High | 4.7%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 17.5 min ✓ Shorter | 28.5 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 11.5% | 19.9% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 147⚠ High | 74 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 184⚠ High | 64 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 90 | 90 |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (112) | A- (113) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.9:1 ✓ Smaller | 21.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 41.3% | 58.2% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 93.2% ✓ Higher | 91.5% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Inspire School of Arts and Sciences District | San Mateo-Foster City |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 56.1°F | 58.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 95.2°F ✓ Warmer | 72.6°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 28.3" | 19.3" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.1" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 102,790 | 104,165 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 38.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.1% | 51.6% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 18.7% | 19.6% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.5% | 16.4% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Chico's cost of living index is 104.6 vs San Mateo's 118.2 (US average = 100).
Chico is 14% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, San Mateo leads 16 of 23 categories. Chico wins 7 and San Mateo wins 16. 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 San Mateo or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($427,600 vs $1,508,900 median home), income ($65,932 vs $149,152), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Chico, CA and San Mateo, CA are about 154 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.