Chico is a moderately-sized city located in the state of California. The city has a population of 89,377 people. According to the most recent Census, 83% of Chico residents are White, 4% Asian and 2% Black. Chico tends to attract a younger crowd, as the median age of 30 is far below the national average.
Living in Chico can be a positive experience for anyone moving to the area. Having said that, in the state of California, there are many desirable places to live, so choose wisely! When searching for a new neighborhood, several factors play a vital role in determining its suitability. Safety should be a top priority, ensuring a secure environment with low crime rates. Proximity to your workplace or school helps minimize commuting time and allows for a better work-life balance. Availability of essential amenities such as parks, coffee shops, restaurants, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities contributes to convenience and well-being. Access to reliable public transportation options facilitates easy commuting and connectivity. Additionally, considering the sense of community and the overall atmosphere that resonates with your lifestyle and preferences fosters a harmonious living experience. Finding the best places to live in Chico and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes crime, cost of living, commute, health & safety and other important metrics.
Chico, CA receives 72/100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #180 in California and #5,275 in the USA. If we dig a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Chico has higher than average grades for the following: education (B). There are some categories that Chico does not rank well for, including: crime (D), cost of living (F), employment (D) and housing (D). It might be worth taking a closer look to figure out why.
Based on the proximity of local amenities like grocery stores, restaurants, coffee shops, parks, shops, etc., Chico has received a higher than average score for its local amenities. If you’re planning on relocating and making this area your permanent home, it’s nice to know that there is an ample amount of amenities and things to do within walking distance or a short drive. Some of the more notable entertainment options include: Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, Bidwell Mansion, and Silverdollar Speedway.
Certain items on your wish list like shopping, restaurants, nightlife, parks and proximity to public transportation are all important things to look for. Having said that, perhaps the most important metric to consider when contemplating a move to Chico is real estate affordability. The median home price for Chico homes is $270,900, which is 33.8% lower than the California average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Chico, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 6.3, which is 1.6% lower than the California average.
| Statistic | Chico | California | National |
| Average one way commute | 17min | 28min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 73.2% | 73.5% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 9.5% | 10.6% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 1.3% | 5.2% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 5.2% | 1.1% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 4.6% | 2.7% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 4.9% | 5.4% | 4.6% |
| Walk | Bike | Compact | Car | S.U.V. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Distance | |||||
| Duration | |||||
| Cost/Month |
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