Chico, CA vs San Marcos, 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 Marcos
62.2
#1870 nationally
San Marcos leads in crime level (6.1 vs 19.2). Chico leads in average commute (17.5 min vs 26.7 min). San Marcos leads in median household income ($99,413 vs $65,932).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Chico, CA | San Marcos, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66.4 (#1544) | 62.2 (#1870) |
| Population | 101,301 | 94,188 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $464,980 | $953,736 |
| Median Household Income | $65,932 | $99,413 |
| Average Commute | 17.5 min | 26.7 min |
| Walk Score | 49 | 33 |
| Crime Level | 19.2 | 6.1 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 133 | 166 |
| 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-
62.2 Score
San Marcos, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$953,736
Population
94,188
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
33
Pacific
View San Marcos, CA →