CostIndexUSA

Chico, CA vs Moreno Valley, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableCA
Chico
101.2
overall index
$1,575/mo rent
CA
Moreno Valley
106.4
overall index
$2,475/mo rent

Chico is moderately cheaper than Moreno Valley — 5.1% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Chico, you would need $84,100 in Moreno Valley. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+40.7%
Chico
91.9
Moreno Valley
129.3
🛒 Groceries3.6%
Chico
105.2
Moreno Valley
101.4
🚗 Transportation+0.9%
Chico
105.3
Moreno Valley
106.3
🏥 Healthcare+0.9%
Chico
95.3
Moreno Valley
96.2
Utilities6.4%
Chico
158.8
Moreno Valley
148.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Moreno Valley, CA
$84,100
$4,100 more needed in Moreno Valley

Formula: salary × (106.4 ÷ 101.2) = salary × 1.0514. 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×

Moreno Valley, CA

Median Home Price
$576,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,475
Housing Index
129.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.4×

Moreno Valley has 40.7% 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

Moreno Valley, CA

Median Household Income
$87,800
Per Capita Income
$50,000
Unemployment Rate
5.6%
Population
208,634
Top Industries
HealthcareLogisticsManufacturingRetailEducation

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)

Moreno Valley, CA
3.0×income-to-rent ratio

66% 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.