Chico 72 Excellent
Chico Livability #195 ranked city in California#6,332 ranked city in the USARanks better than 78% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Chico

PROS
  • Amenities Amenities

    An abundance of amenities, including restaurants, coffee shops, grocery stores and fitness facilities, are conveniently situated within walking distance of the area.

  • Commute Commute

    High commute scores indicates that public transit should be easily accessible in this area and the average commute time to work is less than average.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    A high score in the health and safety category is a result of good air quality and the accessibility to health facilities such as hospitals, clinics, doctors, pharmacies and fire stations.

CONS
  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    Based on the most recent cost of living data, this area is more expensive to live in. You can expect to pay more for everyday goods and services, housing, groceries and utilities.

  • Crime Crime

    This area is reporting high crime rates per 100,000 people and could signify that it is a dangerous place to live. Crime rates include both violent and property crimes.

  • Ratings Ratings

    AreaVibes conducted surveys and polls with locals who live in the area. The results were not favorable for walkability of amenities, parks, public transit and the overall sense of community in the area.

What's it like Living in Chico?

Chico is a moderately-sized city located in the state of California. The city has a population of 100,994 residents. In Chico, there are 3,035 people per square mile, which is well above the national population density average. If we look at the most recent Census, Chico is known to have a predominantly White population. The next two most common races are Asian and Black. The median age of all Chico residents is 30, which is well below the national average. This is a good indication that this city could be ideal for a younger demographic. All the single ladies and all the single fellas might want to take notice as only 40% of the Chico population is married. Not a fan of sitting in traffic during your commute to work? Chico offers shorter work commutes, with an average one-way commute time taking only 17 minutes, far lower than the national average of 26 minutes.

Living in Chico can be a fulfilling experience for anyone moving to the city. Having said that, in the state of California, there are many incredible 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. The best areas in Chico and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. Using data from amenities, crime, cost of living, commute, health & safety, you will see a detailed breakdown of the most important information as well as comparisons to the California and national averages.

Chico has a livability score of 74/100 and is ranked #136 in California and #4,204 in the USA. If we dig a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Chico has higher than average scores for the following: education (B) and housing (B). There are some categories that Chico does not rank well for, including: crime (D-) and cost of living (F). It might be worth taking a closer look to figure out why.

If you're considering living in Chico, it comes with numerous advantages, particularly in the form of an extensive selection of local amenities. These amenities play a pivotal role in elevating the quality of life within this vibrant community. From easily accessible grocery stores, to conveniently located fitness facilities, a diverse range of dining establishments and a multitude of shopping options, Chico provides a comprehensive array of resources for its residents. This ensures the effortless fulfillment of your daily needs and creates ample opportunities for relaxation and recreation. The convenience of these local offerings greatly contributes to the overall appeal of the area, making it an enticing destination for those in search of convenience, diversity, and a gratifying lifestyle. If you're contemplating a move, the abundance of local amenities could very well be a defining characteristic of this area. A few of the enjoyable things to experience and sights to see are: Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, Bidwell Mansion, and Silverdollar Speedway.

A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. Chico excels in the housing sector, scoring high marks based on factors such as median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability. These calculations suggest that the apartment rental and real estate market in the region is exceptionally healthy, highlighting the area's economic vitality and attractiveness to potential homebuyers and renters.

Assuming that Chico meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Chico. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Chico are simply unattainable. Median real estate prices in Chico come in at $616,564, which is 15.7% lower than the California average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Chico, the home price to income ratio is 7.1, which is 7.8% lower than the California average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Chico

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Compare Chico, CA Livability

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      Chico transportation information

      Statistic Chico California National
      Average one way commute17min28min26min
      Workers who drive to work73.8%73.5%76.4%
      Workers who carpool8.9%10.6%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit1.0%5.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle3.9%1.1%0.6%
      Workers who walk4.1%2.7%2.8%
      Working from home6.6%5.4%4.6%
      Source: The Chico, CA data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.