CostIndexUSA

Chico, CA vs Little Rock, AR Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Chico
101.2
overall index
$1,575/mo rent
More AffordableAR
Little Rock
89.4
overall index
$1,200/mo rent

Little Rock is moderately cheaper than Chico — 11.7% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Chico, you would need $70,700 in Little Rock. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing25.7%
Chico
91.9
Little Rock
68.3
🛒 Groceries11.0%
Chico
105.2
Little Rock
93.6
🚗 Transportation4.9%
Chico
105.3
Little Rock
100.1
🏥 Healthcare5.0%
Chico
95.3
Little Rock
90.5
Utilities53.0%
Chico
158.8
Little Rock
74.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Little Rock, AR
$70,700
$9,300 less needed in Little Rock

Formula: salary × (89.4 ÷ 101.2) = salary × 0.8834. 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×

Little Rock, AR

Median Home Price
$222,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,200
Housing Index
68.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
15.4×

Chico has 25.7% lower housing costs compared to Little Rock.

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

Little Rock, AR

Median Household Income
$66,200
Per Capita Income
$37,700
Unemployment Rate
3.4%
Population
202,591
Top Industries
GovernmentHealthcareRetailFinanceManufacturing

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)

Little Rock, AR
4.6×income-to-rent ratio

78% 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.