CostIndexUSA

Chico, CA vs Hartford, CT Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableCA
Chico
101.2
overall index
$1,575/mo rent
CT
Hartford
102.7
overall index
$1,875/mo rent

Chico is slightly cheaper than Hartford — 1.5% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Chico, you would need $81,200 in Hartford. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+19.9%
Chico
91.9
Hartford
110.2
🛒 Groceries7.5%
Chico
105.2
Hartford
97.3
🚗 Transportation+2.4%
Chico
105.3
Hartford
107.8
🏥 Healthcare+2.3%
Chico
95.3
Hartford
97.5
Utilities8.8%
Chico
158.8
Hartford
144.9

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Hartford, CT
$81,200
$1,200 more needed in Hartford

Formula: salary × (102.7 ÷ 101.2) = salary × 1.0148. 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×

Hartford, CT

Median Home Price
$377,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,875
Housing Index
110.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.8×

Hartford has 19.9% 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

Hartford, CT

Median Household Income
$92,200
Per Capita Income
$52,600
Unemployment Rate
4.3%
Population
121,054
Top Industries
FinanceInsuranceHealthcareGovernmentEducation

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)

Hartford, CT
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

76% 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.