Chico, CA vs Santa Paula, 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
Santa Paula
64.8
#1675 nationally
Santa Paula leads in crime level (9.0 vs 19.2). Chico leads in average commute (17.5 min vs 28 min). Santa Paula leads in walk score (59 vs 49).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Chico, CA | Santa Paula, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66.4 (#1544) | 64.8 (#1675) |
| Population | 101,301 | 31,792 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $464,980 | $719,395 |
| Median Household Income | $65,932 | $72,014 |
| Average Commute | 17.5 min | 28 min |
| Walk Score | 49 | 59 |
| Crime Level | 19.2 | 9.0 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 133 | 142 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+3.1 | D+15.1 |
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
64.8 Score
Santa Paula, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$719,395
Population
31,792
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
59
Pacific
View Santa Paula, CA →