Chico, CA vs Poway, 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
Poway
66.1
#1587 nationally
Poway leads in crime level (3.7 vs 19.2). Poway leads in median household income ($135,605 vs $65,932). Chico leads in walk score (49 vs 30).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Chico, CA | Poway, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66.4 (#1544) | 66.1 (#1587) |
| Population | 101,301 | 48,051 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $464,980 | $1,225,939 |
| Median Household Income | $65,932 | $135,605 |
| Average Commute | 17.5 min | 25.6 min |
| Walk Score | 49 | 30 |
| Crime Level | 19.2 | 3.7 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 133 | 179 |
| 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
66.1 Score
Poway, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$1,225,939
Population
48,051
Crime
Low
Walk Score
30
Pacific
View Poway, CA →