Chula Vista CA vs Renton WA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026

Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)

Chula Vista, CA

California · Population: 8,933

  • Median HH Income$104,238
  • Median Home Price$849,245
  • Unemployment2.2%
  • Bachelor's+26.9%

Renton, WA

Washington · Population: 75,721

  • Median HH Income$162,099
  • Median Home Price$765,686
  • Unemployment4.1%
  • Bachelor's+74.7%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Chula Vista
8,933
Renton
75,721
Renton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chula Vista
N/A
Renton
N/A
Median Age
Chula Vista
42.9
Renton
35.0
Renton +
Foreign Born
Chula Vista
20.0%
Renton
44.4%
Renton +
White
Chula Vista
65.7%
Chula Vista +
Renton
48.7%
Black
Chula Vista
0.7%
Renton
2.2%
Renton +
Asian
Chula Vista
0.7%
Renton
39.2%
Renton +
Hispanic
Chula Vista
36.5%
Chula Vista +
Renton
6.8%
Spanish at Home
Chula Vista
N/A
Renton
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Chula Vista
$104,238
Renton
$162,099
Renton +
Per Capita Income
Chula Vista
$49,562
Renton
$89,026
Renton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chula Vista
$77,230
Chula Vista +
Renton
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Chula Vista
2.2%
Chula Vista +
Renton
4.1%
Poverty Rate
Chula Vista
4.5%
Chula Vista +
Renton
5.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chula Vista
26.9%
Renton
74.7%
Renton +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chula Vista
$849,245
Renton
$765,686
Renton +
Homeownership Rate
Chula Vista
71.4%
Chula Vista +
Renton
45.2%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
503
Renton
383
Renton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
2388
Chula Vista +
Renton
3409

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
26.6%
Renton
24.0%
Renton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
11.4%
Renton
8.5%
Renton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chula Vista
16.0%
Renton
16.0%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
12.4%
Renton
9.1%
Renton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
15.7%
Chula Vista +
Renton
16.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
9.6%
Renton
8.9%
Renton +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chula Vista
63.5°F
Renton
53.2°F
Renton +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chula Vista
9.8 in
Chula Vista +
Renton
40.1 in

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
7.9 µg/m³
Renton
7.5 µg/m³
Renton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chula Vista
75.0%
Renton
75.0%
Tie

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chula Vista
26.9 min
Renton
25.4 min
Renton +

Which City is Right for You?

Renton leads in median household income at $162,099, while renton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $765,686. On public safety, Renton is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Chula Vista. Chula Vista has a lower unemployment rate at 2.2%, and Renton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Renton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.0%.

Compare More Cities

About Chula Vista & Renton