Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Chico, CA
VS
Topeka, KS
🏆 Chico leads 12 of 23 categories
Chico
California
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
104.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$65,932 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
184⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
102,790
Topeka
Kansas
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
85.9 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$54,052
Violent Crime Index
225⚠ High
Population
126,431 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Chico, CA
Pros
18% less violent crime than Topeka
Households earn $11,880 more per year on average
More college-educated — 41.3% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 56°F vs 40°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
Cost of living runs 19% higher than Topeka
Topeka, KS
Pros
Homes cost $303k less ($124,700 vs $427,600)
Rent averages $434/mo less ($926 vs $1,360)
19% cheaper overall cost of living than Chico
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.9 pts lower (5.0%)
Living costs sit below the national average (index 85.9)
Cooler summers — July highs near 89°F vs 95°F
Cons
Violent crime (856.5/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Chico by $11,880/yr
Property crime (3642.7/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Chico
Median Income
$11,880
$65,932 vs $54,052/yr
Chico
Violent Crime
18% lower
699.2 vs 856.5 per 100k
Chico
Summer Heat
6.7°F warmer
July avg high 95.2°F vs 88.5°F
Topeka
Cost of Living
19% cheaper
COL index 85.9 vs 104.6 (100 = US avg)
Topeka
Median Home Value
$303k less
$124,700 vs $427,600
Topeka
Unemployment
1.9 pp lower
5.0% vs 6.9% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Chico, CA | Topeka, KS |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 104.6⚠ High | 85.9 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $427,600⚠ High | $124,700 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,360⚠ High | $926 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $65,932 ✓ Higher | $54,052 |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9%⚠ High | 5.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 17.5 min | 17.1 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 11.5% ✓ Higher | 8.7% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 147⚠ High ✓ Safer | 205⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 184⚠ High ✓ Safer | 225⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 90 ✓ Safer | 173⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (112) ✓ Better | B (102) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.9:1 | 12.3:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 41.3% ✓ Higher | 28.5% |
| High School or Higher | 93.2% ✓ Higher | 91.0% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Inspire School of Arts and Sciences District | Topeka Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 56.1°F ✓ Warmer | 39.9°F |
| Avg High — July | 95.2°F ✓ Warmer | 88.5°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 28.3" ✓ Drier | 37.9" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.1" ✓ Less | 17.1" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 102,790 | 126,431 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 37.9 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.1% | 59.0% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 18.7% | 22.4% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.5% | 18.0% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Chico's cost of living index is 104.6 vs Topeka's 85.9 (US average = 100).
Topeka is 19% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Chico leads 12 of 23 categories. Chico wins 12 and Topeka wins 11. 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 Topeka or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($427,600 vs $124,700 median home), income ($65,932 vs $54,052), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Chico, CA and Topeka, KS are about 1,391 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.