Chico, CA vs Imperial Beach, 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
Imperial Beach
62.9
#1815 nationally
Chico leads in average commute (17.5 min vs 27.2 min). Imperial Beach leads in walk score (69 vs 49). Imperial Beach leads in crime level (14.8 vs 19.2).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Chico, CA | Imperial Beach, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66.4 (#1544) | 62.9 (#1815) |
| Population | 101,301 | 25,458 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $464,980 | $844,131 |
| Median Household Income | $65,932 | $75,731 |
| Average Commute | 17.5 min | 27.2 min |
| Walk Score | 49 | 69 |
| Crime Level | 19.2 | 14.8 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 133 | 167 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+3.1 | D+16.8 |
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-
62.9 Score
Imperial Beach, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$844,131
Population
25,458
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
69
Pacific
View Imperial Beach, CA →
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