CostIndexUSA

Anaheim, CA vs Chico, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Anaheim
113.6
overall index
$2,550/mo rent
More AffordableCA
Chico
101.2
overall index
$1,575/mo rent

Chico is moderately cheaper than Anaheim — 10.9% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Anaheim, you would need $71,300 in Chico. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing46.1%
Anaheim
170.4
Chico
91.9
🛒 Groceries1.3%
Anaheim
106.6
Chico
105.2
🚗 Transportation3.9%
Anaheim
109.6
Chico
105.3
🏥 Healthcare3.8%
Anaheim
99.1
Chico
95.3
Utilities≈ Equal
Anaheim
158.6
Chico
158.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Anaheim to see what you'd need to earn in Chico to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Chico, CA
$71,300
$8,700 less needed in Chico

Formula: salary × (101.2 ÷ 113.6) = salary × 0.8908. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Anaheim, CA

Median Home Price
$565,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,550
Housing Index
170.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.5×

Chico, CA

Median Home Price
$390,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,575
Housing Index
91.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.6×

Anaheim has 46.1% lower housing costs compared to Chico.

Income & Job Market

Anaheim, CA

Median Household Income
$92,000
Per Capita Income
$52,400
Unemployment Rate
5.5%
Population
346,824
Top Industries
TourismHealthcareManufacturingTechnologyRetail

Chico, CA

Median Household Income
$63,200
Per Capita Income
$36,000
Unemployment Rate
6.9%
Population
101,475
Top Industries
EducationHealthcareAgricultureManufacturingRetail

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Anaheim, CA
3.0×income-to-rent ratio

67% of income left after rent (median)

Chico, CA
3.3×income-to-rent ratio

70% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.