Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Chico, CA
VS
Washington, DC
🏆 Chico leads 16 of 23 categories
Chico
California
16
wins
Cost of Living Index
104.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$65,932
Violent Crime Index
184⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
102,790
Washington
District of Columbia
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
108.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$101,722 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
244⚠ High
Population
670,587 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Chico, CA
Pros
Homes cost $277k less ($427,600 vs $705,000)
24% less violent crime than Washington
Rent averages $457/mo less ($1,360 vs $1,817)
Commutes run 13 min shorter each way
Milder winters — January highs near 56°F vs 45°F
4% cheaper overall cost of living than Washington
Cons
Median income trails Washington by $35,790/yr
Violent crime (699.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Washington, DC
Pros
Households earn $35,790 more per year on average
More college-educated — 62.6% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 90°F vs 95°F
Smaller class sizes — 10.9:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $705,000
Higher rents — median is $1,817/mo
Violent crime (925.9/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3588.0/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Chico
Cost of Living
4% cheaper
COL index 104.6 vs 108.6 (100 = US avg)
Chico
Violent Crime
24% lower
699.2 vs 925.9 per 100k
Chico
Median Home Value
$277k less
$427,600 vs $705,000
Chico
Summer Heat
5.4°F warmer
July avg high 95.2°F vs 89.8°F
Washington
Median Income
$35,790
$101,722 vs $65,932/yr
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Chico, CA | Washington, DC |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 104.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 108.6⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $427,600⚠ High ✓ Lower | $705,000⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,360⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,817⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $65,932 | $101,722 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 7.1%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 17.5 min ✓ Shorter | 30.5 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 11.5% | 25.0% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 147⚠ High ✓ Safer | 215⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 184⚠ High ✓ Safer | 244⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 90 ✓ Safer | 171⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (112) | A (119) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.9:1 | 10.9:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 41.3% | 62.6% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 93.2% ✓ Higher | 92.7% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Inspire School of Arts and Sciences District | District of Columbia Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 56.1°F ✓ Warmer | 44.7°F |
| Avg High — July | 95.2°F ✓ Warmer | 89.8°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 28.3" ✓ Drier | 45.6" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.1" ✓ Less | 9.7" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 102,790 | 670,587 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 34.8 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.1% ✓ Higher | 41.4% |
| Under 18 | 18.7% ✓ More | 18.5% |
| Over 65 | 13.5% ✓ More | 12.6% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Chico's cost of living index is 104.6 vs Washington's 108.6 (US average = 100).
Chico is 4% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Chico leads 16 of 23 categories. Chico wins 16 and Washington wins 7. 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 Washington or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($427,600 vs $705,000 median home), income ($65,932 vs $101,722), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Chico, CA and Washington, DC are about 2,370 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.