Chico, CA vs Watsonville, 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
Watsonville
63.3
#1786 nationally
Watsonville leads in crime level (10.9 vs 19.2). Chico leads in average commute (17.5 min vs 26.3 min). Watsonville leads in walk score (69 vs 49).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Chico, CA | Watsonville, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66.4 (#1544) | 63.3 (#1786) |
| Population | 101,301 | 50,867 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $464,980 | $828,739 |
| Median Household Income | $65,932 | $72,295 |
| Average Commute | 17.5 min | 26.3 min |
| Walk Score | 49 | 69 |
| Crime Level | 19.2 | 10.9 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 133 | 152 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+3.1 | D+54.4 |
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
Watsonville, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$828,739
Population
50,867
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
69
Pacific
View Watsonville, CA →