CostIndexUSA

Chico, CA vs Huntington Beach, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableCA
Chico
101.2
overall index
$1,575/mo rent
CA
Huntington Beach
113.6
overall index
$2,550/mo rent

Chico is moderately cheaper than Huntington Beach — 12.3% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Chico, you would need $89,800 in Huntington Beach. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+85.4%
Chico
91.9
Huntington Beach
170.4
🛒 Groceries+1.3%
Chico
105.2
Huntington Beach
106.6
🚗 Transportation+4.1%
Chico
105.3
Huntington Beach
109.6
🏥 Healthcare+4.0%
Chico
95.3
Huntington Beach
99.1
Utilities≈ Equal
Chico
158.8
Huntington Beach
158.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Huntington Beach, CA
$89,800
$9,800 more needed in Huntington Beach

Formula: salary × (113.6 ÷ 101.2) = salary × 1.1225. 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×

Huntington Beach, CA

Median Home Price
$565,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,550
Housing Index
170.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.5×

Huntington Beach has 85.4% 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

Huntington Beach, CA

Median Household Income
$92,000
Per Capita Income
$52,400
Unemployment Rate
5.5%
Population
199,223
Top Industries
TourismTechnologyHealthcareRetailFinance

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)

Huntington Beach, CA
3.0×income-to-rent ratio

67% 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.