From the first episode of the original Dragon Ball, Goku and Bulma have been true partners-in-crime. Though the introduction of several new characters has caused their relationship to fall to the background in favor of plot, there have still been moments in the later series that remind us of their connection. Still, we've seen how Goku and Chi-Chi--- given the circumstances of their life--- have managed to raise a mostly well-adjusted family (though some do like to question how much of that was Goku's doing.)
Below is a list of 5 reasons why Bulma might have made a better partner for Goku, as well as 5 reasons why things are fine just the way they are.
10 Bulma Was Older When They Met
While relationships between partners with age differences can go off the rails, male or female, there's a wisdom that comes with time that, if a partner is willing to offer it, can keep the younger half on the straight-and-narrow in life.
With all that Goku was doing to risk his life and the lives of those around him, God knows he could have used a little of that stability, even if Bulma was pretty adventurous herself.
9 Then Again, Chi-Chi Was About the Same Age
Whether you're a student at Orange Star High or a fighter living in the wilderness, chances are you can relate better to somebody your age.
Even if somebody might have experienced a lot in a short amount of time, there's certain change and growth that only comes with time, and that's something that Goku and Chi-Chi have more or less experienced together in their time as a couple. Even as kids leading up to the tournament where Chi-Chi famously popped the question, the two had a connection even if they didn't run into each other all that often.
8 Bulma Knows More About the Developed World, and Even Beyond
From simple Dragon Radar technology to more advanced alien tech, it seems like it doesn't take Bulma long to learn and adapt when the name of the game is wires and gears.
Having never had any formal schooling, this is an area Goku is completely lacking in, and one that he hasn't learned about in the way he would have if his wife was a super genius. And can you imagine what Goku could have done with all that Capsule Corp. training tech?
7 But Chi-Chi Can Relate to Goku's Rural Upbringing
Though she was a princess, Chi-Chi's home of Fire Mountain wasn't the illustrious palace some other princesses get to enjoy. She was more a princess of the working class, which is why she had to train to fight herself instead of just having a bodyguard.
Titles aside, both she and Goku know that life-or-death struggle that Bulma took 16 years to first face head-on, and that no doubt is what makes them such a strong couple.
6 Bulma Is More Calm and Confident
Or at least she puts out that energy. From the moment she was introduced, Bulma showed her tendency to be a know-it-all and try to keep it together in extreme situations. The only problem with that was she didn't realize how extreme those situations could get until she met Goku. Goku isn't angry or anxious by any means, but he is erratic and spontaneous to an extreme degree.
While Bulma isn't leading the charge in a hidden dungeon or on an alien planet any time soon, she's often proven to be a trump card giving the Z Fighters exactly what they need in a pinch, and that's due to both her ego and ability to work well under pressure.
5 But Chi-Chi Doesn't Take Any Nonsense
Though it may seem like a case of opposites attracting, Goku and Bulma actually did end up with spouses who were eerily similar to them. Both Bulma and Vegeta play it cool most of the time but will snap at the smallest disturbance to their peace. It takes a planet in danger for Goku to get angry, and while it may seem like Chi-Chi is quicker to anger, don't forget that her family is her world and she'll do anything to keep it together.
As the two grew together as husband and wife, it seems like they began to see each others' point-of-view when it came to what was really important, with Goku leaving Gohan to train with Piccolo as a baby, to taking Goten out to teach him the value of hard work in Super.
4 Bulma's Dad Has Always Liked Goku
From the moment they met, Dr. Brief has been impressed with Goku's spirit. Though he isn't shown as often in the later series', his interactions with Goku show that the latter would have been a much lower maintenance son-in-law than the Prince of Saiyans. He even mistook Goku for Bulma's boyfriend when they first met.
Overall, Dr. Brief has made his life with a rough-in-tough, anger-prone super son-in-law work, but Lord knows that Capsule Corp. would have needed far fewer renovations if it was Goku living there, and wouldn't the good doctor's bank account have thanked him for that?
3 But Chi-Chi's Dad Used to Want to Kill Him (And Was Convinced Pretty Easily To Come Around)
When he was first introduced, The Ox-King was an ominous force who lived on a burning mountain and terrorized the town below. After helping retrieve a lost Chi-Chi, he earned The Ox King's respect, and his admiration only grew as his relationship with Chi-Chi did.
In some cases, Ox-King has been the first person to defend Goku when he skips out on his duties as a husband to help defend the planet (Even though Chi-Chi maybe rightfully observes that there are at least a couple of Z Fighters who could lead the charge in his place.)
2 Most Importantly, Goku Is Stronger Than All of Bulma's Other Partners
The case can be made for whether Vegeta should be considered stronger than Goku at certain points in the canon, but for the most part, Goku's power has regularly been higher than that of him or Yamcha.
Looking at the gap between the Freiza and Android sagas where Bulma dropped Yamcha in favor of her now-husband, we know Bulma values a strong man. Not only has Goku never lapsed in training like Yamcha, he's regularly surpassed everybody on his roster. That kind of dedication is definitely something that would have grown his and Bulma's bond had they ended up together.
1 But Chi-Chi and Her Family Don't Care About Power Levels At All
And it's that change of pace from the rest of Goku's life may be why Chi-Chi was the right choice: that she gave up fighting after Gohan was born, while Bulma kept making inventions for the Z-Fighters throughout the years (and might have never stopped.) Chi-Chi and her dad were also never big threats even when their power was closer to matching Goku's.
They liked to fight, but they never had that stuff in them that made them push their limits like Goku. Anybody who is always craving more knows how important it is to have people in your life who are content with the simple things, and that's what Chi-Chi offers Goku. No more, no less.