salaryRent is higher than in 51% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 6.5 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. Commutes are short, about 17.8 minutes. Most households rent (57%), so there are plenty of rental options.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $67,000 a year. That is $32 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other California cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of California. It is number 126 of 653 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Chico?
Share of households by yearly income. 24.2% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Chico
| Size | Chico | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,132 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,232 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,569 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,058 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,344 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Chico overall?
Everyday prices in the Chico metro area are 1% above the U.S. average (index 101.2, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Chico
Life in Chico
What jobs pay in Chico
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Nurse Practitioner | $167,080 | 12.0% |
| Physician Assistant | $164,780 | 12.2% |
| Pharmacist | $161,410 | 12.5% |
| Lawyer | $131,710 | 15.3% |
| Software Developer | $131,360 | 15.3% |
| Registered Nurse | $127,360 | 15.8% |
| Dental Hygienist | $118,800 | 16.9% |
| Civil Engineer | $107,350 | 18.7% |
| Operations Manager | $98,390 | 20.4% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $95,000 | 21.2% |
| Police Officer | $94,760 | 21.2% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $93,720 | 21.4% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $78,750 | 25.5% |
| Accountant | $77,680 | 25.9% |
| Carpenter | $72,290 | 27.8% |
| Firefighter | $71,830 | 28.0% |
| Market Research Analyst | $70,820 | 28.4% |
| Electrician | $65,400 | 30.7% |
| HVAC Technician | $62,920 | 31.9% |
| Plumber | $60,730 | 33.1% |
| Truck Driver | $57,480 | 35.0% |
| Medical Assistant | $47,150 | 42.6% |
| Nursing Assistant | $46,380 | 43.3% |
| Customer Service Representative | $45,980 | 43.7% |
| Warehouse Worker | $41,080 | 48.9% |
| Restaurant Cook | $37,980 | 52.9% |
| Retail Salesperson | $36,680 | 54.8% |
| Cashier | $35,210 | 57.1% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $34,320 | 58.6% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Chico?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $1,573 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $468,100 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $46,810 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Chico, CA?
Renting in Chico costs a median of about $1,675 a month in 2026, including utilities. The California median is $2,357.
How much do I need to make to live in Chico?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $67,000 a year, or $32 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Chico cheap or expensive?
Chico is rated OK: rent takes 27.8% of the typical household income of $72,235. It ranks 126th cheapest of 653 California cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Chico?
The median homeowner in Chico pays $3,656 a year in property taxes, about 0.78% of the median home value.
Is Chico more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 1% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Chico?
The median home value in Chico is $468,100, about 6.5 times the typical yearly household income.
102,188 people live in Chico. Numbers are typical (middle) values.