Chico, CA vs Vista, 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
Vista
63.3
#1784 nationally
Vista leads in crime level (8.7 vs 19.2). Chico leads in average commute (17.5 min vs 27.1 min). Vista leads in median household income ($88,715 vs $65,932).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Chico, CA | Vista, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66.4 (#1544) | 63.3 (#1784) |
| Population | 101,301 | 98,344 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $464,980 | $879,716 |
| Median Household Income | $65,932 | $88,715 |
| Average Commute | 17.5 min | 27.1 min |
| Walk Score | 49 | 46 |
| Crime Level | 19.2 | 8.7 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 133 | 158 |
| 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
63.3 Score
Vista, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$879,716
Population
98,344
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
46
Pacific
View Vista, CA →