Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Chico, CA
VS
Spokane, WA
🏆 Spokane leads 13 of 22 categories
Chico
California
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
104.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$65,932 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
184⚠ High
Population
102,790
Spokane
Washington
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
101.0⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$63,316
Violent Crime Index
178⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
227,922 ✓ 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 38°F
More college-educated — 41.3% hold a bachelor's or higher
Commutes run 3 min shorter each way
Households earn $2,616 more per year on average
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $427,600
Violent crime (699.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher rents — median is $1,360/mo
Higher unemployment (6.9% vs 6.2%)
Spokane, WA
Pros
Homes cost $141k less ($286,900 vs $427,600)
Rent averages $300/mo less ($1,060 vs $1,360)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.7 pts lower (6.2%)
Cooler summers — July highs near 87°F vs 95°F
4% cheaper overall cost of living than Chico
Cons
Violent crime (674.9/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (4840.8/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Snowy winters — about 45" of snow per year
Median income trails Chico by $2,616/yr
Key Differences at a Glance
Chico
Median Income
$2,616
$65,932 vs $63,316/yr
Chico
Summer Heat
8.1°F warmer
July avg high 95.2°F vs 87.1°F
Spokane
Cost of Living
4% cheaper
COL index 101.0 vs 104.6 (100 = US avg)
Spokane
Violent Crime
3% lower
674.9 vs 699.2 per 100k
Spokane
Median Home Value
$141k less
$286,900 vs $427,600
Spokane
Unemployment
0.7 pp lower
6.2% vs 6.9% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Chico, CA | Spokane, WA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 104.6⚠ High | 101.0⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $427,600⚠ High | $286,900 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,360⚠ High | $1,060 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $65,932 ✓ Higher | $63,316 |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9%⚠ High | 6.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 17.5 min ✓ Shorter | 20.7 min |
| Work From Home % | 11.5% | 12.0% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 147⚠ High ✓ Safer | 199⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 184⚠ High | 178⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 90 ✓ Safer | 231⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (112) ✓ Better | B (101) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.9:1 | 14.8:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 41.3% ✓ Higher | 32.7% |
| High School or Higher | 93.2% | 93.2% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Inspire School of Arts and Sciences District | Spokane School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 56.1°F ✓ Warmer | 37.8°F |
| Avg High — July | 95.2°F ✓ Warmer | 87.1°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 28.3" | 17.4" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.1" ✓ Less | 45.4" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 102,790 | 227,922 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 37.0 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.1% | 57.5% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 18.7% | 20.3% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.5% | 16.2% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Chico's cost of living index is 104.6 vs Spokane's 101.0 (US average = 100).
Spokane is 4% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Spokane leads 13 of 22 categories. Chico wins 9 and Spokane 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 Spokane or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($427,600 vs $286,900 median home), income ($65,932 vs $63,316), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Chico, CA and Spokane, WA are about 588 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.