Cost of Living in Chico, CA
Chico, CA — prices, rents and what jobs really pay here after taxes.
Salary comparison calculator
What would you need to earn in Chico, CA to keep the same lifestyle — after taxes — as in another city?
Prices in Chico, CA vs. the U.S. average
| Category | Index (U.S. = 100) | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 101.2 | +1.2% |
| Housing | 91.9 | −8.1% |
| Goods | 105.2 | +5.2% |
| Utilities | 158.8 | +58.8% |
| Other services | 100.3 | +0.3% |
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Rent in Chico, CA
| Unit | Monthly rent | Income needed (30% rule) |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,155 | $46,200/yr |
| 1 bedroom | $1,270 | $50,800/yr |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,625 | $65,000/yr |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,260 | $90,400/yr |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,726 | $109,040/yr |
HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026, population-weighted across the metro's counties.
Take-home pay in Chico, CA
- Federal income tax$3,586
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,979
- Medicare (1.45%)$697
- California income tax$932
- CA State Disability Insurance (SDI)$625
- Take-home pay$39,231
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 6.00% state
Highest-paying jobs in Chico, CA
*In U.S.-average dollars after adjusting for local prices.
Frequently asked questions
Is Chico, CA expensive to live in?
According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, overall prices in the Chico, CA metro area are 101.2% of the U.S. average, with housing at 91.9%. It is the #64 most expensive of 387 metro areas we track.
What salary do you need to live in Chico, CA?
To match the buying power of a $60,000 salary in an average-priced U.S. city you would need about $60,718 in Chico, CA (before tax differences). The median wage across all jobs here is $48,050.
How much is rent in Chico, CA?
HUD’s FY2026 fair market rents for Chico, CA are $1,155 for a studio, $1,270 for one bedroom, $1,625 for two bedrooms and $2,260 for three bedrooms, including utilities.
All salaries in Chico, CA
Management Occupations
- General and Operations Manager — $98,390
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
- Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education — $95,000
- Substitute Teachers, Short-Term — $61,030
- Educational Instruction and Library Workers, All Other — $60,850
- Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary — $45,660
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
- Registered Nurse — $127,360
Healthcare Support Occupations
- Medical Assistant — $47,150
- Nursing Assistant — $46,380
- Home Health and Personal Care Aide — $34,320
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $45,900
- Cooks, Fast Food — $40,340
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $38,210
- Cooks, Restaurant — $37,980
- Food Preparation Worker — $37,510
- Waiter and Waitress — $34,320
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations
- Landscaping and Groundskeeping Worker — $45,150
- Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners — $39,150
Sales and Related Occupations
- First-Line Supervisor of Retail Sales Workers — $50,770
- Retail Salesperson — $36,680
- Cashier — $35,210
Office and Administrative Support Occupations
- First-Line Supervisor of Office and Administrative Support Workers — $70,420
- Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks — $50,710
- Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive — $49,810
- Medical Secretary and Administrative Assistant — $47,400
- Customer Service Representative — $45,980
- Office Clerks, General — $42,840
Construction and Extraction Occupations
- Construction Laborer — $54,720
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations
- Maintenance and Repair Workers, General — $52,040
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver — $57,480
- Light Truck Driver — $45,990
- Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand — $41,080
- Stocker and Order Filler — $37,180