Chico, CA vs Fresno, CA
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Chico
66.4
#1544 nationally
Fresno
66.6
#1521 nationally
Chico leads in average commute (17.5 min vs 22.3 min). Fresno leads in cost of living index (123 vs 133). Chico leads in crime level (19.2 vs 20.1).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Chico, CA | Fresno, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66.4 (#1544) | 66.6 (#1521) |
| Population | 101,301 | 545,716 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $464,980 | $390,993 |
| Median Household Income | $65,932 | $63,001 |
| Average Commute | 17.5 min | 22.3 min |
| Walk Score | 49 | 47 |
| Crime Level | 19.2 | 20.1 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 133 | 123 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+3.1 | R+4.4 |
D
66.4 Score
Chico, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$464,980
Population
101,301
Crime
High
Walk Score
49
Pacific
View Chico, CA →
D
66.6 Score
Fresno, CA
Major California city with a diverse economy
Median Home
$390,993
Population
545,716
Crime
High
Walk Score
47
Pacific
View Fresno, CA →