City profile · California · Census ACS 2023

Chula Vista, CA

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Chula Vista - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

275,030
Residents
$105,173
Median income
$697,400
Median home
$3,001
Median rent (state)

Chula Vista - the verdict

Chula Vista ranks in the 81st percentile for household income and the 45th percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

81st
percentile, household income
93rd
percentile, home value
98th
percentile, median rent
45th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Chula Vista, CA

275,030 people live in Chula Vista, California - a mid-sized U.S. city by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Chula Vista households earn a median of $105,173 annually, placing it in the top quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 6.9%. Chula Vista's housing stock carries a median value of $697,400, and the median resident age is 37.0 years. 32.3% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 58.6% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 1,223 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Rapid Growth), up 46% from five years earlier. Chula Vista reports a comparatively low crime rate: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 1508.2 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, below the national average (agency reporting is voluntary, so this measures reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). The annual average temperature per NOAA climate normals runs 63.3°F with 9.2 inches of precipitation per year.

California carries a cost-of-living premium: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts California at 110.7 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Well Above Average). Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $3,001 monthly. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in California run around $275, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. Commute times here average 25.3 minutes, with 73.3% driving alone and 11.7% working from home, per Census ACS commuting data. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 99.7 out of 100 (Very High).

Population

275,030 residents

Census ACS 2023 - California

Median Household Income

$105,173 /yr

Poverty 6.9%

Cost of Living Index (state)

110.7 (US=100)

Well Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, California average

How does Chula Vista compare to other US cities?

Where Chula Vista sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 81% higher than other cities
Home value 93% pricier than other cities
Median rent 98% pricier than other cities
Safety 45% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to California alone, Chula Vista ranks #147 of 441 California cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Chula Vista against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to California only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

California-relative analysis

Median Gross Rent places Chula Vista toward the top of California's cities

Among the 1,458 California cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, Chula Vista ranks #287 - the 76th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Chula Vista only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#451 of 1,338
66th percentile in California
Median Gross Rent
#287 of 1,458
76th percentile in California
Median Home Value
#444 of 1,343
67th percentile in California
Poverty Rate
#694 of 1,450
52nd percentile in California
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#573 of 1,458
60th percentile in California

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within California only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

81stIncome percentile
45thSafety percentile

81st percentile nationally for median household income · 45th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Chula Vista's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Chula Vista's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 44 Avg. percentile National median
Chula Vista's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Chula Vista's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$697,400 7th percentile more affordable than 7% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). This entry sits in this band. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Chula Vista $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Chula Vista, CA Chula Vista, CA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Chula Vista, CA-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Chula Vista, CA median $105,173/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Chula Vista, CA's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Chula Vista, CA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 32.3%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 6.9%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 58.6%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
275,030
Median Income
$105,173
Median Home Value
$697,400
Median Age
37.0
Poverty Rate
6.9%
Labor force participation
58.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
32.3%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1508.2
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
375.8
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1132.4
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Climate

Avg Temperature
63.3°F
Annual Precipitation
9.2"
Annual Snowfall
0.0"

Schools

Total Schools
68
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
275,000 residents275,500 residents276,000 residents276,500 residents277,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 275,809 residents 275,533 residents ▼ -0.1%
Chula Vista's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📈 Rapid Growth
Total Permits (2024)
1,223
housing units authorized
Single-Family
261
detached homes
Multifamily
962
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
4.4
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 839
2020 1,100
2021 1,756
2022 1,034
2023 843
2024 1,223

Permit volume increased 46% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
25.3 minutes
Drive Alone
73.3%
Carpool
9.9%
Public Transit
2.4%
Walk
1.4%
Work from Home
11.7%
Other
1.3%

Based on 129,133 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for California - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$150
avg/month
Natural Gas
$55
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$70
avg/month
Total Utilities
$275
estimated/month

Estimates reflect California state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a California state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Chula Vista sits in

Cost of Living Index
110.7
Well Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$3,001/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
99.7 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in California

Irvine
308,160 people
Santa Ana
311,639 people
Riverside
316,241 people
Stockton
320,470 people
Santa Clarita
229,021 people
Fremont
228,518 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Chula Vista's 275,030 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Madison, WI
275,568 people
Buffalo, NY
276,397 people
Chandler, AZ
278,123 people
Gilbert, AZ
271,118 people
North Las Vegas, NV
270,773 people
Reno, NV
268,959 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Chula Vista's $105,173 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

University Heights, IA
$105,172 median income
Beattystown, NJ
$105,179 median income
St. Regis Park, KY
$105,183 median income
Steely Hollow, OK
$105,146 median income
Holley, OR
$105,134 median income
Pioneer, FL
$105,214 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Chula Vista, CA Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Chula Vista, CA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 32.8% 14.9% 16.6% 29.1% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 60.4% White 32.8% Black or African American 5.3% Asian 14.9% American Indian 1.0% Native Hawaiian 0.3% Some other race 16.6% Two or more races 29.1% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Chula Vista compares to nearby California cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Chula Vista (this city) 275,030 $105,173
Irvine 308,160 $129,647
Santa Ana 311,639 $88,354
Riverside 316,241 $88,575
Census ACS 5-year FIPS CA FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Chula Vista, CA?

What is the population of Chula Vista, CA? +

Chula Vista, CA has a population of 275,030 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Chula Vista, CA? +

In Chula Vista, the typical household earns $105,173 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Chula Vista? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Chula Vista; the closest available measure is the California state average, a cost of living index of 110.7 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Well Above Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within California vary by metro area.

Is Chula Vista, CA safe? +

Chula Vista has a total crime rate of 1508.2 per 100,000 residents, which is below the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Chula Vista, CA? +

The median home value in Chula Vista is $697,400, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Chula Vista? +

The average annual temperature in Chula Vista runs 63.3°F, 9.2 inches of precipitation. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.