CostIndexUSA

Chico, CA vs Pocatello, ID Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Chico
101.2
overall index
$1,575/mo rent
More AffordableID
Pocatello
88.9
overall index
$1,075/mo rent

Pocatello is moderately cheaper than Chico — 12.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Chico, you would need $70,300 in Pocatello. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing27.7%
Chico
91.9
Pocatello
66.4
🛒 Groceries8.6%
Chico
105.2
Pocatello
96.2
🚗 Transportation1.3%
Chico
105.3
Pocatello
103.9
🏥 Healthcare1.4%
Chico
95.3
Pocatello
94
Utilities56.0%
Chico
158.8
Pocatello
69.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Pocatello, ID
$70,300
$9,700 less needed in Pocatello

Formula: salary × (88.9 ÷ 101.2) = salary × 0.8785. 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×

Pocatello, ID

Median Home Price
$339,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,075
Housing Index
66.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
26.3×

Chico has 27.7% lower housing costs compared to Pocatello.

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

Pocatello, ID

Median Household Income
$68,500
Per Capita Income
$39,000
Unemployment Rate
2.4%
Population
56,606
Top Industries
EducationHealthcareManufacturingGovernmentRetail

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)

Pocatello, ID
5.3×income-to-rent ratio

81% 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.