Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Chico, CA
VS
Sioux Falls, SD
🏆 Sioux Falls leads 13 of 20 categories
Chico
California
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
104.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$65,932
Violent Crime Index
184⚠ High
Population
102,790
Sioux Falls
South Dakota
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
90.3 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$71,785 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
139⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
193,401 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Chico, CA
Pros
Milder winters — January highs near 56°F vs 25°F
More college-educated — 41.3% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $427,600
Higher rents — median is $1,360/mo
Violent crime (699.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 14% higher than Sioux Falls
Sioux Falls, SD
Pros
Homes cost $178k less ($250,000 vs $427,600)
Rent averages $395/mo less ($965 vs $1,360)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 4.6 pts lower (2.3%)
25% less violent crime than Chico
14% cheaper overall cost of living than Chico
Households earn $5,853 more per year on average
Cons
Violent crime (526.7/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (2915.2/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Snowy winters — about 45" of snow per year
Key Differences at a Glance
Chico
Summer Heat
10.4°F warmer
July avg high 95.2°F vs 84.8°F
Sioux Falls
Cost of Living
14% cheaper
COL index 90.3 vs 104.6 (100 = US avg)
Sioux Falls
Median Income
$5,853
$71,785 vs $65,932/yr
Sioux Falls
Violent Crime
25% lower
526.7 vs 699.2 per 100k
Sioux Falls
Median Home Value
$178k less
$250,000 vs $427,600
Sioux Falls
Unemployment
4.6 pp lower
2.3% vs 6.9% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Chico, CA | Sioux Falls, SD |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 104.6⚠ High | 90.3 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $427,600⚠ High | $250,000 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,360⚠ High | $965 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $65,932 | $71,785 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9%⚠ High | 2.3% ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 17.5 min | 16.8 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 11.5% ✓ Higher | 8.3% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 147⚠ High | 139⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 184⚠ High | 139⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 90 ✓ Safer | 139⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (112) ✓ Better | B (103) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.9:1 | 14.8:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 41.3% ✓ Higher | 37.0% |
| High School or Higher | 93.2% | 93.2% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Inspire School of Arts and Sciences District | Sioux Falls School District 49-5 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 56.1°F ✓ Warmer | 25.3°F |
| Avg High — July | 95.2°F ✓ Warmer | 84.8°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 28.3" | 28.3" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.1" ✓ Less | 45.3" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 102,790 | 193,401 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 34.9 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.1% | 60.0% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 18.7% | 24.8% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.5% | 13.5% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Chico's cost of living index is 104.6 vs Sioux Falls's 90.3 (US average = 100).
Sioux Falls is 14% less expensive overall.
Based on the 20 decided categories above, Sioux Falls leads 13 of 20 categories. Chico wins 7 and Sioux Falls 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 Sioux Falls or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($427,600 vs $250,000 median home), income ($65,932 vs $71,785), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Chico, CA and Sioux Falls, SD are about 1,316 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.