So, I've now also been able to confirm that pokemon of the same CP can have different stats. I have two paras, both with a CP of 286. (I also didn't realize until recently that you can have the same Pokemon and different special moves, huh) I have two Joteons, but one has "Discharge" and the other has "Electroshock" or something like that.
However, looking at their actual stats, one seems to be about 2 powerups ahead on the bar, yet has lower overall health. Clearly the second para is the better option to evolve. I had thought there was less variability than that.
Look to be about the same, should toss either one to the Professor's Pokemon processor for some candy, right? Wrong.
Clearly an evolution or three ahead on the power up bar, but same CP and lower overall health.