Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Chico, CA
VS
Vacaville, CA
🏆 Vacaville leads 12 of 23 categories
Chico
California
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
104.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$65,932
Violent Crime Index
184⚠ High
Population
102,790 ✓ Larger
Vacaville
California
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
109.2⚠ High
Median Household Income
$106,764 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
77 ✓ Safer
Population
101,631
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Chico, CA
Pros
Rent averages $781/mo less ($1,360 vs $2,141)
Homes cost $133k less ($427,600 vs $560,400)
Commutes run 11 min shorter each way
More college-educated — 41.3% hold a bachelor's or higher
Smaller class sizes — 14.9:1 student-teacher ratio
5% cheaper overall cost of living than Vacaville
Cons
Median income trails Vacaville by $40,832/yr
Violent crime (699.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher unemployment (6.9% vs 5.4%)
Vacaville, CA
Pros
Households earn $40,832 more per year on average
58% less violent crime than Chico
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.5 pts lower (5.4%)
Cons
Higher rents — median is $2,141/mo
Pricier housing — median home is $560,400
Longer commutes — 28.9 min average each way
Cost of living runs 5% higher than Chico
Key Differences at a Glance
Chico
Cost of Living
5% cheaper
COL index 104.6 vs 109.2 (100 = US avg)
Chico
Median Home Value
$133k less
$427,600 vs $560,400
Vacaville
Median Income
$40,832
$106,764 vs $65,932/yr
Vacaville
Violent Crime
58% lower
293.2 vs 699.2 per 100k
Vacaville
Unemployment
1.5 pp lower
5.4% vs 6.9% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Chico, CA | Vacaville, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 104.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 109.2⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $427,600⚠ High ✓ Lower | $560,400⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,360⚠ High ✓ Lower | $2,141⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $65,932 | $106,764 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9%⚠ High | 5.4%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 17.5 min ✓ Shorter | 28.9 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 11.5% ✓ Higher | 9.7% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 147⚠ High | 79 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 184⚠ High | 77 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 90 | 83 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (112) ✓ Better | C+ (89) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.9:1 ✓ Smaller | 21.9:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 41.3% ✓ Higher | 26.3% |
| High School or Higher | 93.2% ✓ Higher | 91.4% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Inspire School of Arts and Sciences District | Vacaville Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 56.1°F | 57.6°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 95.2°F ✓ Warmer | 95.0°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 28.3" | 24.8" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.1" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 102,790 ✓ Larger | 101,631 |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 37.3 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.1% | 66.2% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 18.7% | 22.5% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.5% | 14.6% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Chico's cost of living index is 104.6 vs Vacaville's 109.2 (US average = 100).
Chico is 5% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Vacaville leads 12 of 23 categories. Chico wins 11 and Vacaville wins 12. 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 Vacaville or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($427,600 vs $560,400 median home), income ($65,932 vs $106,764), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Chico, CA and Vacaville, CA are about 97 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.