Chandler AZ vs Chula Vista CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Chandler, AZ
Arizona · Population: 278,123
- Median HH Income$103,691
- Median Home Price$524,013
- Unemployment3.6%
- Bachelor's+46.8%
Chula Vista, CA
California · Population: 8,933
- Median HH Income$104,238
- Median Home Price$849,245
- Unemployment2.2%
- Bachelor's+26.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chandler
278,123
Chandler +
Chula Vista
8,933
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chandler
N/A
Chula Vista
N/A
Median Age
Chandler
37.4
Chandler +
Chula Vista
42.9
Foreign Born
Chandler
15.4%
Chula Vista
20.0%
Chula Vista +
White
Chandler
62.6%
Chula Vista
65.7%
Chula Vista +
Black
Chandler
5.2%
Chandler +
Chula Vista
0.7%
Asian
Chandler
11.4%
Chandler +
Chula Vista
0.7%
Hispanic
Chandler
21.4%
Chula Vista
36.5%
Chula Vista +
Spanish at Home
Chandler
N/A
Chula Vista
N/A
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Chula Vista, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 278,123 | 8,933 | Chandler + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.4 | 42.9 | Chandler + |
| Foreign Born | 15.4% | 20.0% | Chula Vista + |
| White | 62.6% | 65.7% | Chula Vista + |
| Black | 5.2% | 0.7% | Chandler + |
| Asian | 11.4% | 0.7% | Chandler + |
| Hispanic | 21.4% | 36.5% | Chula Vista + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chandler
$103,691
Chula Vista
$104,238
Chula Vista +
Per Capita Income
Chandler
$51,746
Chandler +
Chula Vista
$49,562
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chandler
$59,120
Chula Vista
$77,230
Chula Vista +
Unemployment Rate
Chandler
3.6%
Chula Vista
2.2%
Chula Vista +
Poverty Rate
Chandler
7.7%
Chula Vista
4.5%
Chula Vista +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chandler
46.8%
Chandler +
Chula Vista
26.9%
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Chula Vista, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $103,691 | $104,238 | Chula Vista + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,746 | $49,562 | Chandler + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,230 | Chula Vista + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 2.2% | Chula Vista + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.7% | 4.5% | Chula Vista + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.8% | 26.9% | Chandler + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chandler
$524,013
Chandler +
Chula Vista
$849,245
Homeownership Rate
Chandler
65.6%
Chula Vista
71.4%
Chula Vista +
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Chula Vista, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $524,013 | $849,245 | Chandler + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.6% | 71.4% | Chula Vista + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chandler
450
Chandler +
Chula Vista
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chandler
2150
Chandler +
Chula Vista
2388
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Chula Vista, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 503 | Chandler + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 2388 | Chandler + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chandler
28.2%
Chula Vista
26.6%
Chula Vista +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chandler
9.1%
Chandler +
Chula Vista
11.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chandler
14.1%
Chandler +
Chula Vista
16.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chandler
9.7%
Chandler +
Chula Vista
12.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chandler
16.7%
Chula Vista
15.7%
Chula Vista +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chandler
9.4%
Chandler +
Chula Vista
9.6%
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Chula Vista, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.2% | 26.6% | Chula Vista + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 11.4% | Chandler + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.1% | 16.0% | Chandler + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 12.4% | Chandler + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.7% | Chula Vista + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 9.6% | Chandler + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chandler
N/A
Chula Vista
63.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chandler
N/A
Chula Vista
9.8 in
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Chula Vista, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 63.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 9.8 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chandler
7.1 µg/m³
Chandler +
Chula Vista
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chandler
75.0%
Chula Vista
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Chula Vista, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Chandler + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chandler
26.1 min
Chandler +
Chula Vista
26.9 min
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Chula Vista, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.1 min | 26.9 min | Chandler + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chula Vista leads in median household income at $104,238, while chandler offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $524,013. On public safety, Chandler is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Chula Vista. Chula Vista has a lower unemployment rate at 2.2%, and Chandler has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chula Vista scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.6%.
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