CostIndexUSA

Chandler, AZ vs Chico, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

AZ
Chandler
103.3
overall index
$1,725/mo rent
More AffordableCA
Chico
101.2
overall index
$1,575/mo rent

Chico is slightly cheaper than Chandler — 2.0% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Chandler, you would need $78,400 in Chico. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing24.2%
Chandler
121.2
Chico
91.9
🛒 Groceries+10.7%
Chandler
95
Chico
105.2
🚗 Transportation3.6%
Chandler
109.2
Chico
105.3
🏥 Healthcare3.5%
Chandler
98.8
Chico
95.3
Utilities+70.2%
Chandler
93.3
Chico
158.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Chico, CA
$78,400
$1,600 less needed in Chico

Formula: salary × (101.2 ÷ 103.3) = salary × 0.9797. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Chandler, AZ

Median Home Price
$442,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,725
Housing Index
121.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.4×

Chico, CA

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

Chandler has 24.2% lower housing costs compared to Chico.

Income & Job Market

Chandler, AZ

Median Household Income
$85,700
Per Capita Income
$48,800
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
Population
261,165
Top Industries
TechnologySemiconductorsHealthcareManufacturingFinance

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).

Chandler, AZ
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

76% 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.