Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Chico, CA
VS
San Tan Valley, AZ
🏆 San Tan Valley leads 15 of 23 categories
Chico
California
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
104.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$65,932
Violent Crime Index
184⚠ High
Population
102,790 ✓ Larger
San Tan Valley
Arizona
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
100.0 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$88,466 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
62 ✓ Safer
Population
101,207
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Chico, CA
Pros
Commutes run 19 min shorter each way
Rent averages $369/mo less ($1,360 vs $1,729)
More college-educated — 41.3% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 95°F vs 104°F
Smaller class sizes — 14.9:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $427,600
Median income trails San Tan Valley by $22,534/yr
Violent crime (699.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher unemployment (6.9% vs 4.5%)
San Tan Valley, AZ
Pros
66% less violent crime than Chico
Homes cost $124k less ($304,000 vs $427,600)
Households earn $22,534 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.4 pts lower (4.5%)
Violent crime is well below the national average (235.7 vs 380/100k)
Milder winters — January highs near 66°F vs 56°F
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,729/mo
Longer commutes — 36.2 min average each way
Hot summers — July highs average 104°F
Key Differences at a Glance
San Tan Valley
Cost of Living
5% cheaper
COL index 100.0 vs 104.6 (100 = US avg)
San Tan Valley
Median Income
$22,534
$88,466 vs $65,932/yr
San Tan Valley
Violent Crime
66% lower
235.7 vs 699.2 per 100k
San Tan Valley
Median Home Value
$124k less
$304,000 vs $427,600
San Tan Valley
Unemployment
2.4 pp lower
4.5% vs 6.9% unemployment
San Tan Valley
Summer Heat
9.0°F warmer
July avg high 104.2°F vs 95.2°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Chico, CA | San Tan Valley, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 104.6⚠ High | 100.0 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $427,600⚠ High | $304,000 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,360⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,729⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $65,932 | $88,466 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9%⚠ High | 4.5%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 17.5 min ✓ Shorter | 36.2 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 11.5% | 13.5% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 147⚠ High | 56 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 184⚠ High | 62 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 90 | 46 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (112) ✓ Better | C+ (83) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.9:1 ✓ Smaller | 19.9:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 41.3% ✓ Higher | 22.0% |
| High School or Higher | 93.2% ✓ Higher | 92.3% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Inspire School of Arts and Sciences District | J O Combs Unified School District (4445) |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 56.1°F | 65.6°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 95.2°F | 104.2°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 28.3" | 8.6" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.1" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 102,790 ✓ Larger | 101,207 |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 34.7 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.1% | 80.4% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 18.7% | 28.3% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.5% ✓ More | 11.7% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Chico's cost of living index is 104.6 vs San Tan Valley's 100.0 (US average = 100).
San Tan Valley is 5% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, San Tan Valley leads 15 of 23 categories. Chico wins 8 and San Tan Valley wins 15. 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 Tan Valley or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($427,600 vs $304,000 median home), income ($65,932 vs $88,466), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Chico, CA and San Tan Valley, AZ are about 728 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.