Chico, CA vs Houston, TX
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
Houston
72.1
#926 nationally
Chico leads in average commute (17.5 min vs 28.5 min). Houston leads in cost of living index (96 vs 133). Chico leads in median household income ($65,932 vs $57,791).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Chico, CA | Houston, TX |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66.4 (#1544) | 72.1 (#926) |
| Population | 101,301 | 2,314,157 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $464,980 | $263,563 |
| Median Household Income | $65,932 | $57,791 |
| Average Commute | 17.5 min | 28.5 min |
| Walk Score | 49 | 48 |
| Crime Level | 19.2 | Moderate-High |
| School Rating | N/A | 5.5 |
| Cost of Living Index | 133 | 96 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+3.1 | D+5.5 |
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 →
C-
72.1 Score
Houston, TX
Space City with global energy
Median Home
$263,563
Population
2,314,157
Crime
Moderate-High
Schools
C
Southwest
View Houston, TX →