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