Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Chico, CA
VS
St. Petersburg, FL
🏆 St. Petersburg leads 14 of 23 categories
Chico
California
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
104.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$65,932
Violent Crime Index
184⚠ High
Population
102,790
St. Petersburg
Florida
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.4⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$70,333 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
163⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
259,343 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Chico, CA
Pros
Commutes run 7 min shorter each way
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $427,600
Violent crime (699.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher unemployment (6.9% vs 4.6%)
Median income trails St. Petersburg by $4,401/yr
St. Petersburg, FL
Pros
Homes cost $139k less ($289,000 vs $427,600)
11% less violent crime than Chico
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.3 pts lower (4.6%)
Milder winters — January highs near 69°F vs 56°F
Households earn $4,401 more per year on average
Cooler summers — July highs near 90°F vs 95°F
Cons
Violent crime (619.6/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (2458.9/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Chico
Summer Heat
5.6°F warmer
July avg high 95.2°F vs 89.6°F
St. Petersburg
Cost of Living
1% cheaper
COL index 103.4 vs 104.6 (100 = US avg)
St. Petersburg
Median Income
$4,401
$70,333 vs $65,932/yr
St. Petersburg
Violent Crime
11% lower
619.6 vs 699.2 per 100k
St. Petersburg
Median Home Value
$139k less
$289,000 vs $427,600
St. Petersburg
Unemployment
2.3 pp lower
4.6% vs 6.9% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Chico, CA | St. Petersburg, FL |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 104.6⚠ High | 103.4⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $427,600⚠ High | $289,000 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,360⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,410⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $65,932 | $70,333 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9%⚠ High | 4.6%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 17.5 min ✓ Shorter | 24.0 min |
| Work From Home % | 11.5% | 15.7% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 147⚠ High | 145⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 184⚠ High | 163⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 90 ✓ Safer | 117⚠ 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 ✓ Smaller | 15.9:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 41.3% ✓ Higher | 40.6% |
| High School or Higher | 93.2% | 93.8% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Inspire School of Arts and Sciences District | PINELLAS |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 56.1°F | 69.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 95.2°F ✓ Warmer | 89.6°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 28.3" ✓ Drier | 46.6" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.1" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 102,790 | 259,343 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 42.9 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.1% | 62.6% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 18.7% ✓ More | 16.3% |
| Over 65 | 13.5% | 19.9% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Chico's cost of living index is 104.6 vs St. Petersburg's 103.4 (US average = 100).
St. Petersburg is 1% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, St. Petersburg leads 14 of 23 categories. Chico wins 9 and St. Petersburg wins 14. 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. Petersburg or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($427,600 vs $289,000 median home), income ($65,932 vs $70,333), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Chico, CA and St. Petersburg, FL are about 2,376 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.