CostIndexUSA

Atlanta, GA vs Chico, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableGA
Atlanta
100.1
overall index
$1,800/mo rent
CA
Chico
101.2
overall index
$1,575/mo rent

Atlanta is slightly cheaper than Chico — 1.1% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Atlanta, you would need $80,900 in Chico. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing17.2%
Atlanta
111
Chico
91.9
🛒 Groceries+4.8%
Atlanta
100.4
Chico
105.2
🚗 Transportation+3.7%
Atlanta
101.5
Chico
105.3
🏥 Healthcare+3.7%
Atlanta
91.9
Chico
95.3
Utilities+65.1%
Atlanta
96.2
Chico
158.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Chico, CA
$80,900
$900 more needed in Chico

Formula: salary × (101.2 ÷ 100.1) = salary × 1.0110. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Atlanta, GA

Median Home Price
$374,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,800
Housing Index
111
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.3×

Chico, CA

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

Atlanta has 17.2% lower housing costs compared to Chico.

Income & Job Market

Atlanta, GA

Median Household Income
$86,500
Per Capita Income
$49,300
Unemployment Rate
4.2%
Population
498,715
Top Industries
FinanceTechnologyMediaHealthcareLogistics

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).

Atlanta, GA
4.0×income-to-rent ratio

75% 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.