CostIndexUSA

Chico, CA vs Erie, PA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Chico
101.2
overall index
$1,575/mo rent
More AffordablePA
Erie
91
overall index
$1,075/mo rent

Erie is moderately cheaper than Chico — 10.1% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Chico, you would need $71,900 in Erie. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing38.2%
Chico
91.9
Erie
56.8
🛒 Groceries4.3%
Chico
105.2
Erie
100.7
🚗 Transportation2.6%
Chico
105.3
Erie
102.6
🏥 Healthcare2.6%
Chico
95.3
Erie
92.8
Utilities32.7%
Chico
158.8
Erie
106.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Erie, PA
$71,900
$8,100 less needed in Erie

Formula: salary × (91 ÷ 101.2) = salary × 0.8992. 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×

Erie, PA

Median Home Price
$209,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,075
Housing Index
56.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.2×

Chico has 38.2% lower housing costs compared to Erie.

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

Erie, PA

Median Household Income
$60,700
Per Capita Income
$34,600
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
Population
94,831
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareEducationTechnologyRetail

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)

Erie, PA
4.7×income-to-rent ratio

79% 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.