CostIndexUSA

Chico, CA vs Colorado Springs, CO Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

≈ Equal CostCA
Chico
101.2
overall index
$1,575/mo rent
CO
Colorado Springs
100.7
overall index
$1,675/mo rent

Chico and Colorado Springs have nearly identical costs of living.

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+26.4%
Chico
91.9
Colorado Springs
116.2
🛒 Groceries8.7%
Chico
105.2
Colorado Springs
96.1
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Chico
105.3
Colorado Springs
104.8
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Chico
95.3
Colorado Springs
94.8
Utilities47.6%
Chico
158.8
Colorado Springs
83.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Colorado Springs, CO
$79,600
$400 less needed in Colorado Springs

Formula: salary × (100.7 ÷ 101.2) = salary × 0.9951. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Chico, CA

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

Colorado Springs, CO

Median Home Price
$448,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,675
Housing Index
116.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
22.3×

Colorado Springs has 26.4% higher housing costs compared to Chico.

Income & Job Market

Chico, CA

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

Colorado Springs, CO

Median Household Income
$89,800
Per Capita Income
$51,200
Unemployment Rate
4.2%
Population
478,961
Top Industries
MilitaryAerospaceTechnologyHealthcareTourism

Affordability at a Glance

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

Chico, CA
3.3×income-to-rent ratio

70% of income left after rent (median)

Colorado Springs, CO
4.5×income-to-rent ratio

78% 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.