Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Chico, CA
VS
South Fulton, GA
🏆 Chico leads 13 of 23 categories
Chico
California
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
104.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$65,932
Violent Crime Index
184⚠ High
Population
102,790
South Fulton
Georgia
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
100.9⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$77,488 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
124⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
107,865 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Chico, CA
Pros
Commutes run 15 min shorter each way
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.9 pts lower (6.9%)
Rent averages $101/mo less ($1,360 vs $1,461)
Smaller class sizes — 14.9:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $427,600
Violent crime (699.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails South Fulton by $11,556/yr
Cost of living runs 4% higher than South Fulton
South Fulton, GA
Pros
Homes cost $185k less ($242,200 vs $427,600)
33% less violent crime than Chico
Households earn $11,556 more per year on average
Cooler summers — July highs near 90°F vs 95°F
4% cheaper overall cost of living than Chico
Cons
Violent crime (470.5/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher unemployment (7.8% vs 6.9%)
Longer commutes — 32.5 min average each way
Higher rents — median is $1,461/mo
Key Differences at a Glance
Chico
Unemployment
0.9 pp lower
6.9% vs 7.8% unemployment
Chico
Summer Heat
5.1°F warmer
July avg high 95.2°F vs 90.1°F
South Fulton
Cost of Living
4% cheaper
COL index 100.9 vs 104.6 (100 = US avg)
South Fulton
Median Income
$11,556
$77,488 vs $65,932/yr
South Fulton
Violent Crime
33% lower
470.5 vs 699.2 per 100k
South Fulton
Median Home Value
$185k less
$242,200 vs $427,600
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Chico, CA | South Fulton, GA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 104.6⚠ High | 100.9⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $427,600⚠ High | $242,200 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,360⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,461⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $65,932 | $77,488 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 7.8%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 17.5 min ✓ Shorter | 32.5 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 11.5% | 12.5% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 147⚠ High | 111⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 184⚠ High | 124⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 90 ✓ Safer | 91 |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (112) ✓ Better | C+ (86) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.9:1 ✓ Smaller | 18.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 41.3% ✓ Higher | 39.1% |
| High School or Higher | 93.2% ✓ Higher | 93.1% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Inspire School of Arts and Sciences District | State Specialty Schools I- Georgia Cyber Academy |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 56.1°F ✓ Warmer | 54.0°F |
| Avg High — July | 95.2°F ✓ Warmer | 90.1°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 28.3" ✓ Drier | 54.2" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.1" ✓ Less | 2.2" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 102,790 | 107,865 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 37.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.1% | 69.2% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 18.7% | 24.1% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.5% ✓ More | 11.4% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Chico's cost of living index is 104.6 vs South Fulton's 100.9 (US average = 100).
South Fulton is 4% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Chico leads 13 of 23 categories. Chico wins 13 and South Fulton wins 10. 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 South Fulton or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($427,600 vs $242,200 median home), income ($65,932 vs $77,488), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Chico, CA and South Fulton, GA are about 2,090 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.