CostIndexUSA

Chico, CA vs Fremont, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableCA
Chico
101.2
overall index
$1,575/mo rent
CA
Fremont
115.6
overall index
$3,075/mo rent

Chico is moderately cheaper than Fremont — 14.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Chico, you would need $91,400 in Fremont. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+111.9%
Chico
91.9
Fremont
194.7
🛒 Groceries+3.1%
Chico
105.2
Fremont
108.5
🚗 Transportation+5.9%
Chico
105.3
Fremont
111.5
🏥 Healthcare+5.9%
Chico
95.3
Fremont
100.9
Utilities+8.7%
Chico
158.8
Fremont
172.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Fremont, CA
$91,400
$11,400 more needed in Fremont

Formula: salary × (115.6 ÷ 101.2) = salary × 1.1423. 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×

Fremont, CA

Median Home Price
$1,090,000
Median Monthly Rent
$3,075
Housing Index
194.7
Price-to-Rent Ratio
29.5×

Fremont has 111.9% 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

Fremont, CA

Median Household Income
$127,800
Per Capita Income
$72,800
Unemployment Rate
5%
Population
230,504
Top Industries
TechnologyManufacturingHealthcareRetailEducation

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)

Fremont, CA
3.5×income-to-rent ratio

71% 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.