Chula Vista, California
Cost of living, housing, income, commute, climate, and safety — compiled for relocators researching Chula Vista, CA.
MapsToIt planning snapshot
How much does it cost to live in Chula Vista, CA?
Chula Vista planning snapshot: population 278,546, housing index 194 (well above the U.S. housing-cost baseline), median home $697,400, median rent $2,122, and income near $105,173. Expect 73°F summer highs, 47°F winter lows, and about 28-minute one-way commutes. Violent-offense rates run about 328.5 per 100k (catalog avg 559.5).
Crime figures may use an older source vintage than housing and income on this page.
- Housing cost index
- 194U.S. avg 100
- Median home value
- $697,400U.S. $303,400
- Median rent
- $2,122U.S. $1,348
- Median income
- $105,173U.S. $78,538
- Unemployment
- 4.7%U.S. 4.2%
- Avg commute
- 28 minCatalog avg 25 min
- Violent crime
- 328.5per 100k · catalog avg 559.5
- Summer high
- 73°FCatalog avg 87°F
Key figures
Each metric shows how Chula Vista compares with a U.S. baseline (ACS/BLS nationals) or a MapsToIt catalog average (crime, climate, and commute). Income, housing, population, and crime are for the incorporated city (city limits), not the broader metro/MSA — unemployment is county-level (BLS LAUS).
- Population
- 278,546City limits · Census PEP 2024 estimate
As of 2026-10-19 · Census PEP 2024 - Median household income
- $105,173Incorporated place (ACS)
As of 2026-10-19 · ACS 2023 5-year34% above U.S. avgU.S. $78,538 - Housing cost index
- 194ACS home+rent vs U.S. (100 = avg)
As of 2026-10-19 · ACS 2023 5-year94% above U.S. avgU.S. 100 - Median home value
- $697,400City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-10-19 · ACS 2023 5-year130% above U.S. avgU.S. $303,400 - Median rent
- $2,122City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-10-19 · ACS 2023 5-year57% above U.S. avgU.S. $1,348 - Unemployment
- 4.7%County LAUS · not city-only
As of 2026-10-19 · July 20260.5 pts above U.S. rateU.S. 4.2% - Avg commute
- 28 min12% above catalog avgCatalog avg 25 min
- Walk Score
- 427% below catalog avgCatalog avg 45
- Violent crime rate
- 328.5per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-10-19 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback) · older data (2019)41% below catalog avgCatalog avg 559.5 - Property crime rate
- 1386.5per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-10-19 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback) · older data (2019)54% below catalog avgCatalog avg 3005.3 - Summer high
- 73°FAs of 2026-10-19 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals14.0 pts below catalog avgCatalog avg 87°F
- Winter low
- 47°FAs of 2026-10-19 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals12.0 pts above catalog avgCatalog avg 35°F
- Annual rainfall
- 8.6 inAs of 2026-10-19 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals74% below catalog avgCatalog avg 33.2 in
- Sunny days
- 365As of 2026-10-19 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals36% above catalog avgCatalog avg 268
Population trend
Chula Vista grew 13.9% from 244,648 in 2010 to 278,546 in 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024). Playback steps monthly between annual Census PEP estimates.
Is Chula Vista, CA expensive compared to the U.S. average?
Compared with the U.S. average, Chula Vista runs 94 points higher on MapsToIt's ACS housing index. Use that single number as a quick filter, then dig into home and rent cells for the budget you actually need.
- Housing cost index 194 (U.S. 100)
- Median home $697,400 vs U.S. $303,400
- Median rent $2,122 vs U.S. $1,348
How much does housing cost in Chula Vista, CA?
Budget first around $2,122/month rent or $697,400 purchase prices — both are MapsToIt ACS medians, not listing ask averages. National ACS medians are $1,348 rent and $303,400 home value for context.
- Median home value $697,400
- Median rent $2,122/month
- Median household income $105,173
What is the job market like in Chula Vista, CA?
Labor-market context for Chula Vista: unemployment 4.7% and median income $105,173. Those are BLS LAUS (county) and ACS figures — industry mix still matters more than the headline rate alone.
- Unemployment 4.7% (U.S. 4.2%)
- Median income $105,173
How long is the typical commute in Chula Vista, CA?
Plan on roughly 28 minutes each way in Chula Vista. Walk Score estimates around 42 shape how car-dependent daily errands feel. Compare that with the 25-minute catalog average before you lock a neighborhood.
- 28 minutes average one-way
- Walk Score 42/100
Is Chula Vista, CA safer than similar U.S. cities?
Chula Vista's FBI-derived violent rate (~328.5/100k) sits below the catalog average of mapped MapsToIt cities. Use the figure as a screening signal, then verify the blocks you would actually live on.
- Violent 328.5 per 100k
- Property 1386.5 per 100k
What is the climate like year-round in Chula Vista, CA?
Chula Vista's climate profile: 73°F summer peaks, 47°F winter mornings, 8.6" annual rainfall, and 365 sunny days — from the nearest NOAA normals station.
- Summer high 73°F
- Winter low 47°F
- 8.6 in rain · 365 sunny days
Pacific weather, wildfire seasons, and housing scarcity dominate relocation tradeoffs. Roughly 365 sunny days a year give outdoor routines unusual calendar reliability. Average one-way commute time is about 28 minutes, and Walk Score estimates land around 42/100. Labor-market readings near 4.7% unemployment are neither boom nor bust by national standards. Violent-offense rates around 328.5 per 100k are moderate for a large U.S. city, with meaningful variation by neighborhood.
Relocators eyeing Chula Vista, California will find roughly 278,546 residents within city limits. With median income around $105,173 and a cost index of 194, the market reads well above the national housing-cost baseline. Budget for median rents around $2,122 a month before you lock a neighborhood.
Chula Vista is compact enough that a single wrong neighborhood choice is easy to feel day to day — visit at commute hour before signing. Figures on this page are merged from Census ACS, BLS LAUS, FBI crime figures, and NOAA Climate Normals — use them to compare Chula Vista with nearby alternatives before you relocate.
Nearby & similar cities
Continue researching with these internal links — each page is a full data profile.
Sources
- Census / ACS: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-year (Chula Vista city, 1600000US0613392) — As of 2026-10-19 · ACS 2023 5-year
- BLS: BLS LAUS · San Diego County, July 2026 — As of 2026-10-19 · July 2026
- Crime: FBI CIUS Table 8 (2019), city offenses per 100k — As of 2026-10-19 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)
- Climate: NOAA 1991–2020 Monthly Normals (USW00093115 IMPERIAL BEACH REAM FLD NAS) — As of 2026-10-19 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals
- Population trend: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024) — As of 2026-10-19 · Census PEP 2024
Catalog refreshed 2026-10-19