CostIndexUSA

Chico, CA vs Ocala, FL Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Chico
101.2
overall index
$1,575/mo rent
More AffordableFL
Ocala
95.2
overall index
$1,600/mo rent

Ocala is moderately cheaper than Chico — 5.9% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Chico, you would need $75,300 in Ocala. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing6.2%
Chico
91.9
Ocala
86.2
🛒 Groceries8.6%
Chico
105.2
Ocala
96.2
🚗 Transportation1.4%
Chico
105.3
Ocala
103.8
🏥 Healthcare1.5%
Chico
95.3
Ocala
93.9
Utilities45.2%
Chico
158.8
Ocala
87.1

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Ocala, FL
$75,300
$4,700 less needed in Ocala

Formula: salary × (95.2 ÷ 101.2) = salary × 0.9407. 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×

Ocala, FL

Median Home Price
$271,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,600
Housing Index
86.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.1×

Chico has 6.2% lower housing costs compared to Ocala.

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

Ocala, FL

Median Household Income
$58,600
Per Capita Income
$33,400
Unemployment Rate
5.1%
Population
63,591
Top Industries
HealthcareEquestrianManufacturingRetailAgriculture

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)

Ocala, FL
3.1×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.