CostIndexUSA

Chico, CA vs Redding, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

≈ Equal CostCA
Chico
101.2
overall index
$1,575/mo rent
CA
Redding
100.7
overall index
$1,600/mo rent

Chico and Redding have nearly identical costs of living.

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing2.7%
Chico
91.9
Redding
89.4
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Chico
105.2
Redding
105.2
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Chico
105.3
Redding
105.3
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Chico
95.3
Redding
95.3
Utilities0.7%
Chico
158.8
Redding
157.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Redding, CA
$79,600
$400 less needed in Redding

Formula: salary × (100.7 ÷ 101.2) = salary × 0.9951. 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×

Redding, CA

Median Home Price
$362,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,600
Housing Index
89.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.9×

Chico has 2.7% lower housing costs compared to Redding.

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

Redding, CA

Median Household Income
$75,900
Per Capita Income
$43,300
Unemployment Rate
4.5%
Population
91,305
Top Industries
HealthcareGovernmentRetailManufacturingEducation

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)

Redding, CA
4.0×income-to-rent ratio

75% 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.