CostIndexUSA

Chico, CA vs Garland, TX Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableCA
Chico
101.2
overall index
$1,575/mo rent
TX
Garland
103.1
overall index
$1,775/mo rent

Chico is slightly cheaper than Garland — 1.9% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Chico, you would need $81,500 in Garland. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+28.3%
Chico
91.9
Garland
117.9
🛒 Groceries2.3%
Chico
105.2
Garland
102.8
🚗 Transportation0.6%
Chico
105.3
Garland
104.7
🏥 Healthcare0.6%
Chico
95.3
Garland
94.7
Utilities42.9%
Chico
158.8
Garland
90.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Garland, TX
$81,500
$1,500 more needed in Garland

Formula: salary × (103.1 ÷ 101.2) = salary × 1.0188. 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×

Garland, TX

Median Home Price
$450,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,775
Housing Index
117.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.1×

Garland has 28.3% 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

Garland, TX

Median Household Income
$86,900
Per Capita Income
$49,500
Unemployment Rate
3.9%
Population
246,018
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareTechnologyRetailLogistics

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)

Garland, TX
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

75% 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.