Chico, CA vs Waco, 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
Waco
77.1
#281 nationally
Waco leads in crime level (11.7 vs 19.2). Waco leads in cost of living index (93 vs 133). Chico leads in walk score (49 vs 35).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Chico, CA | Waco, TX |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66.4 (#1544) | 77.1 (#281) |
| Population | 101,301 | 144,816 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $464,980 | $197,359 |
| Median Household Income | $65,932 | $47,421 |
| Average Commute | 17.5 min | 17.5 min |
| Walk Score | 49 | 35 |
| Crime Level | 19.2 | 11.7 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 133 | 93 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+3.1 | R+30.9 |
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+
77.1 Score
Waco, TX
Mid-size Texas city with community character
Median Home
$197,359
Population
144,816
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
35
Southwest
View Waco, TX →