Chico, CA vs San Diego, 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
San Diego
65.3
#1643 nationally
Chico leads in average commute (17.5 min vs 25.4 min). San Diego leads in median household income ($89,457 vs $65,932). Chico leads in cost of living index (133 vs 165).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Chico, CA | San Diego, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66.4 (#1544) | 65.3 (#1643) |
| Population | 101,301 | 1,388,320 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $464,980 | $994,682 |
| Median Household Income | $65,932 | $89,457 |
| Average Commute | 17.5 min | 25.4 min |
| Walk Score | 49 | 52 |
| Crime Level | 19.2 | Moderate-Low |
| School Rating | N/A | 6.8 |
| Cost of Living Index | 133 | 165 |
| 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
65.3 Score
San Diego, CA
America's Finest City
Median Home
$994,682
Population
1,388,320
Crime
Moderate-Low
Schools
B
Pacific
View San Diego, CA →