CostIndexUSA

Chico, CA vs Huntsville, AL Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Chico
101.2
overall index
$1,575/mo rent
More AffordableAL
Huntsville
93.1
overall index
$1,400/mo rent

Huntsville is moderately cheaper than Chico — 8.0% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Chico, you would need $73,600 in Huntsville. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing15.2%
Chico
91.9
Huntsville
77.9
🛒 Groceries8.4%
Chico
105.2
Huntsville
96.4
🚗 Transportation3.6%
Chico
105.3
Huntsville
101.5
🏥 Healthcare3.6%
Chico
95.3
Huntsville
91.9
Utilities47.2%
Chico
158.8
Huntsville
83.9

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Huntsville, AL
$73,600
$6,400 less needed in Huntsville

Formula: salary × (93.1 ÷ 101.2) = salary × 0.9200. 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×

Huntsville, AL

Median Home Price
$307,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,400
Housing Index
77.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.3×

Chico has 15.2% lower housing costs compared to Huntsville.

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

Huntsville, AL

Median Household Income
$84,900
Per Capita Income
$48,400
Unemployment Rate
2.8%
Population
215,006
Top Industries
AerospaceDefenseTechnologyHealthcareEducation

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)

Huntsville, AL
5.1×income-to-rent ratio

80% 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.