MoveMap

Moving to Chico

What you need to know before relocating to Chico, California. Data-driven insights on housing, jobs, safety, and quality of life.

Is Chico a Good Place to Live?

Chico presents a mixed picture. Prospective residents should weigh the tradeoffs carefully. Key considerations: home prices ($420,500) are above the us median; median household income ($63,222) trails the national median.

Chico at a Glance

Population
207K
Median Income
$63,222
Median Rent
$1,434/mo
Median Home Price
$420,500
Unemployment
5.2%
Avg Commute
83502 min

Cost of Living in Chico

The median rent in Chico is $1,434/month, while the median home value is $420,500. With a median household income of $63,222, residents spend roughly 27% of monthly income on rent.

Overall, the Chico metro area is classified as average compared to other US metros.

Rent vs. National Avg
2% above
Home Price vs. National Avg
38% above

Job Market

Chico has a median household income of $63,222, which is 15% below the national median. The local unemployment rate is 5.2%, compared to the national average of 3.7%.

Safety in Chico

The violent crime rate in Chico is 508 per 100,000 residents, which is 34% above the national average of 380.

Property crime rate: 2326 per 100,000 residents.

Education in California

California has a high school graduation rate of 85% and per-pupil spending of $18,020/year. The student-to-teacher ratio is 22:1.

39% of California adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Healthcare Access

California has 285 physicians per 100,000 residents, a 5.9% uninsured rate, and 1.9 hospital beds per 1,000 people. Life expectancy in California is 79.0 years.

Pros and Cons of Living in Chico

+Pros

  • Low uninsured rate (5.9%) and good healthcare access

-Cons

  • Home prices ($420,500) are above the US median
  • Median household income ($63,222) trails the national median
  • Unemployment rate (5.2%) is above the national average
  • Violent crime rate (508/100k) exceeds the national average
  • Longer-than-average commute (83502 min)

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Chico a good place to live?

Chico has both advantages and drawbacks. Prospective residents should weigh home prices ($420,500) are above the us median and median household income ($63,222) trails the national median against other lifestyle factors.

What is the cost of living in Chico?

The median rent in Chico is $1,434/month and the median home value is $420,500. The median household income is $63,222. Overall the metro is considered average.

Is Chico safe?

Chico has a violent crime rate of 508 incidents per 100,000 residents. The national average is approximately 380 per 100,000.

What is the job market like in Chico?

Chico has an unemployment rate of 5.2%, compared to the national average of 3.7%. The median household income is $63,222.

Explore More About Chico