Chico, CA vs Orange, 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
Orange
63.3
#1780 nationally
Orange leads in crime level (6.2 vs 19.2). Orange leads in median household income ($109,335 vs $65,932). Chico leads in average commute (17.5 min vs 26.5 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Chico, CA | Orange, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66.4 (#1544) | 63.3 (#1780) |
| Population | 101,301 | 138,337 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $464,980 | $1,136,729 |
| Median Household Income | $65,932 | $109,335 |
| Average Commute | 17.5 min | 26.5 min |
| Walk Score | 49 | 51 |
| Crime Level | 19.2 | 6.2 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 133 | 178 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+3.1 | D+2.6 |
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
Orange, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$1,136,729
Population
138,337
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
51
Pacific
View Orange, CA →