Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Chico, CA
VS
St. Louis, MO
🏆 Chico leads 13 of 23 categories
Chico
California
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
104.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$65,932 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
184⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
102,790
St. Louis
Missouri
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
96.3 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$52,941
Violent Crime Index
360⚠ High
Population
298,018 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Chico, CA
Pros
49% less violent crime than St. Louis
Households earn $12,991 more per year on average
Commutes run 6 min shorter each way
Milder winters — January highs near 56°F vs 41°F
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
Higher unemployment (6.9% vs 5.4%)
St. Louis, MO
Pros
Homes cost $254k less ($174,100 vs $427,600)
Rent averages $422/mo less ($938 vs $1,360)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.5 pts lower (5.4%)
8% cheaper overall cost of living than Chico
Cooler summers — July highs near 90°F vs 95°F
Smaller class sizes — 11.4:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Violent crime (1367.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Chico by $12,991/yr
Property crime (5706.9/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Chico
Median Income
$12,991
$65,932 vs $52,941/yr
Chico
Violent Crime
49% lower
699.2 vs 1367.1 per 100k
Chico
Summer Heat
5.6°F warmer
July avg high 95.2°F vs 89.6°F
St. Louis
Cost of Living
8% cheaper
COL index 96.3 vs 104.6 (100 = US avg)
St. Louis
Median Home Value
$254k less
$174,100 vs $427,600
St. Louis
Unemployment
1.5 pp lower
5.4% vs 6.9% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Chico, CA | St. Louis, MO |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 104.6⚠ High | 96.3 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $427,600⚠ High | $174,100 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,360⚠ High | $938 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $65,932 ✓ Higher | $52,941 |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9%⚠ High | 5.4%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 17.5 min ✓ Shorter | 23.0 min |
| Work From Home % | 11.5% | 12.5% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 147⚠ High ✓ Safer | 325⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 184⚠ High ✓ Safer | 360⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 90 ✓ Safer | 272⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (112) ✓ Better | B+ (107) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.9:1 | 11.4:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 41.3% ✓ Higher | 38.6% |
| High School or Higher | 93.2% ✓ Higher | 90.0% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Inspire School of Arts and Sciences District | ST. LOUIS CITY |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 56.1°F ✓ Warmer | 40.6°F |
| Avg High — July | 95.2°F ✓ Warmer | 89.6°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 28.3" ✓ Drier | 43.9" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.1" ✓ Less | 13.8" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 102,790 | 298,018 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 36.5 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.1% | 44.9% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 18.7% ✓ More | 18.5% |
| Over 65 | 13.5% | 14.5% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Chico's cost of living index is 104.6 vs St. Louis's 96.3 (US average = 100).
St. Louis is 8% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Chico leads 13 of 23 categories. Chico wins 13 and St. Louis 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 St. Louis or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($427,600 vs $174,100 median home), income ($65,932 vs $52,941), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Chico, CA and St. Louis, MO are about 1,684 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.