Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Chico, CA
VS
Tempe, AZ
🏆 Tempe leads 16 of 23 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
Tempe
Arizona
16
wins
Cost of Living Index
99.9 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$72,022 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
124⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
181,005 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Chico, CA
Pros
Commutes run 4 min shorter each way
Rent averages $112/mo less ($1,360 vs $1,472)
Cooler summers — July highs near 95°F vs 106°F
Cons
Violent crime (699.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Pricier housing — median home is $427,600
Higher unemployment (6.9% vs 5.7%)
Median income trails Tempe by $6,090/yr
Tempe, AZ
Pros
33% less violent crime than Chico
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.2 pts lower (5.7%)
Homes cost $46k less ($382,100 vs $427,600)
Milder winters — January highs near 71°F vs 56°F
More college-educated — 48.9% hold a bachelor's or higher
Households earn $6,090 more per year on average
Cons
Violent crime (470.3/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (2893.8/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Hot summers — July highs average 106°F
Higher rents — median is $1,472/mo
Key Differences at a Glance
Tempe
Cost of Living
5% cheaper
COL index 99.9 vs 104.6 (100 = US avg)
Tempe
Median Income
$6,090
$72,022 vs $65,932/yr
Tempe
Violent Crime
33% lower
470.3 vs 699.2 per 100k
Tempe
Median Home Value
$46k less
$382,100 vs $427,600
Tempe
Unemployment
1.2 pp lower
5.7% vs 6.9% unemployment
Tempe
Summer Heat
10.7°F warmer
July avg high 105.9°F vs 95.2°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Chico, CA | Tempe, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 104.6⚠ High | 99.9 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $427,600⚠ High | $382,100⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,360⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,472⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $65,932 | $72,022 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9%⚠ High | 5.7%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 17.5 min ✓ Shorter | 21.5 min |
| Work From Home % | 11.5% | 16.8% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 147⚠ High | 129⚠ 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 | 138⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (112) | A (125) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.9:1 | 14.3:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 41.3% | 48.9% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 93.2% | 93.7% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Inspire School of Arts and Sciences District | Tempe School District (4258) |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 56.1°F | 70.6°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 95.2°F | 105.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 28.3" | 8.5" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.1" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 102,790 | 181,005 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 30.4 ✓ Older | 29.7 |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.1% ✓ Higher | 40.7% |
| Under 18 | 18.7% ✓ More | 14.4% |
| Over 65 | 13.5% ✓ More | 10.6% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Chico's cost of living index is 104.6 vs Tempe's 99.9 (US average = 100).
Tempe is 5% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Tempe leads 16 of 23 categories. Chico wins 7 and Tempe wins 16. 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 Tempe or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($427,600 vs $382,100 median home), income ($65,932 vs $72,022), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Chico, CA and Tempe, AZ are about 703 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.