| Index | Chico | California | National |
| Cost of living | 133 | 141 | 100 |
| Groceries | 110 | 111 | 100 |
| Health care | 117 | 116 | 100 |
| Housing | 168 | 197 | 100 |
| Transportation | 120 | 118 | 100 |
| Utilities | 117 | 119 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 125 | 120 | 100 |
| Household Items | 113 | 111 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 133 | 127 | 100 |
Understanding the cost of living in Chico can help future residents assess whether their current financial situation aligns with the expenses they will encounter. It enables them to plan for potential changes in their budget and lifestyle. The Chico cost of living index is 133, which is 33% higher than the national average. The cost of living index is calculated by taking into account multiple categories, which encompass both the cost of everyday expenditures and larger expenses as well.
The cost of living in Chico is among the highest in the country, making it a very expensive place to live. Only a small fraction of regions boast a cost of living that is at least 20% higher than the national average, and regrettably, Chico falls into this category, which may not be suitable for those seeking an economically favorable living environment.
Housing costs make up a big chunk of the cost of living in Chico, and they usually eat into a large part of your take-home pay. Unfortunately, in this area, both buying a home and renting one costs 68% more than the average city. This includes stuff like home prices, rent, mortgage rates, and insurance.
The routine items you regularly buy for your home, such as cleaning supplies, personal care products, clothing basics, and kitchen essentials, make up 8% of the cost of living index. In Chico, these items cost 13% more than the national average, making day-to-day living a bit more expensive.
The real experts on a city are its residents. That's why we reached out to 22 locals to get their views on the cost of living in Chico. We surveyed the residents and asked them if they felt like prices were affordable or out of reach. The results were as follows. 36% found it budget-friendly with decreasing prices, while 64% said it's simply not affordable as prices have continued to rise.
Is Chico an affordable place to live? It's a good question and one that you might want to ask when considering any new city, as affordability can play a huge role in the decision making process. The cost of living index (which we covered above), as well as housing costs and income levels play a vital role in determining the affordability of an area. The median home price in Chico is 88.8% higher than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 19.4% higher than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Chico has a median household income of $86,936, which is 6.9% higher than the national average.
Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can fluctuate greatly based on the city or state. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor\’s visits, dentist costs, medication costs and specialized care costs can all impact the cost of living. In Chico, the healthcare costs are 16.6% higher than the national average.
Housing: Elevated demand for housing within coveted locales has the propensity to escalate both property values and rental rates, thereby serving as a primary catalyst for an augmented cost of living. Conversely, areas witnessing diminished housing demand, particularly within less desirable environs, often experience an inversely proportional effect, leading to price reductions and subsequently contributing to a more modest cost of living. In Chico, the housing index is 68% higher than the national average.
Groceries: Grocery prices have seen substantial hikes in the last 2-3 years, with some markets witnessing food cost increases of over 20% during this period. Conversely, certain markets have experienced only moderate upticks. These variations in food expenses can have a substantial impact on the overall cost of living in any locality. In Chico, the groceries index is 9.7% higher than the national average.
The cost of living estimates displayed for Chico are modeled using a U.S. average baseline of 100, helping provide a useful comparison of local living expenses. Housing calculations include U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are AI-assisted estimates based on regional cost patterns, climate, transportation, and everyday spending expectations. These values are intended for directional comparisons across cities.
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| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
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| Utilities index | |
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| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $139,545 | $11,629 | $3,256 | $4,187 |
| Renters | $52,829 | $4,402 | $1,233 | $1,585 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| California | 7.25% | 10.5% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| California | 1% | 13.3% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Hamilton City, CA | 2,529 | 113 | 12.6% |
| Magalia, CA | 11,822 | 115 | 15.0% |
| Paradise, CA | 18,159 | 123 | 22.9% |
| Vina, CA | 219 | 141 | 41.3% |
| Cohasset, CA | 511 | 144 | 44.3% |
| Chico, CA | 100,994 | 133 | 33.1% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Beaverton, OR | 100,974 | 134 | 33.8% |
| Orem, UT | 101,229 | 115 | 15.2% |
| Nampa, ID | 100,694 | 104 | 4.1% |
| Federal Way, WA | 100,624 | 133 | 33.0% |
| Lethbridge, AB | 101,384 | n/a | |
| Chico, CA | 100,994 | 133 | 33.1% |
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