Cost of Living in Chico, CA - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,292 (excluding rent), and $2,598 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,737 (excluding rent), and $5,153 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$25.19 $25.19

$14.11 $14.11

$40.31 $40.31

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$59.3 $59.3

$44.44 $44.44

$148 $148

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$13.25 $13.25

$12.23 $12.23

$15.28 $15.28

Cappuccino

$5.88 $5.88

$3.05 $3.05

$8.12 $8.12

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.49 $2.49

$1.94 $1.94

$2.91 $2.91

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.18 $2.18

$1.91 $1.91

$3.04 $3.04

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.96 $6.96

$2.98 $2.98

$8.95 $8.95

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.46 $8.46

$5.96 $5.96

$9.95 $9.95

Milk (1 liter)

$1.33 $1.33

$0.85 $0.85

$1.60 $1.60

White Bread (500g)

$3.75 $3.75

$2.82 $2.82

$6.20 $6.20

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.63 $3.63

$3.35 $3.35

$8.92 $8.92

Eggs

$5.62 $5.62

$3.06 $3.06

$10.20 $10.20

Local Cheese (1kg)

$13.19 $13.19

$8.79 $8.79

$41.75 $41.75

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$10.54 $10.54

$7.63 $7.63

$23.97 $23.97

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$16.75 $16.75

$13.12 $13.12

$28.42 $28.42

Apples (1kg)

$5.60 $5.60

$2.24 $2.24

$11.20 $11.20

Banana (1kg)

$2.24 $2.24

$1.55 $1.55

$4.50 $4.50

Oranges (1kg)

$3.78 $3.78

$1.96 $1.96

$9.19 $9.19

Tomato (1kg)

$5.49 $5.49

$4.40 $4.40

$9.34 $9.34

Potato (1kg)

$4.55 $4.55

$2.23 $2.23

$6.70 $6.70

Onion (1kg)

$3.33 $3.33

$2.15 $2.15

$4.30 $4.30

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.11 $2.11

$0.98 $0.98

$3.42 $3.42

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.39 $2.39

$2.05 $2.05

$4.09 $4.09

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$7.80 $7.80

$12.68 $12.68

Wine (Bottle)

$12.05 $12.05

$9.03 $9.03

$22.10 $22.10

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.78 $1.78

$1.47 $1.47

$4.41 $4.41

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.36 $5.36

$3.02 $3.02

$7.04 $7.04

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.95 $2.95

$1.23 $1.23

$2.95 $2.95

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$35.45 $35.45

$25.32 $25.32

$45.57 $45.57

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.57 $3.57

$5.10 $5.10

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.98 $1.98

$2.44 $2.44

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$40.55 $40.55

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.21 $1.21

$1.13 $1.13

$1.42 $1.42

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$24.1K $24.1K

$23.7K $23.7K

$38.3K $38.3K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$24.4K $24.4K

$23.6K $23.6K

$25.6K $25.6K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$194 $194

$101 $101

$547 $547

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$52.0 $52.0

$34.36 $34.36

$118 $118

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$72.0 $72.0

$55.4 $55.4

$101 $101

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$62.2 $62.2

$40.31 $40.31

$80.6 $80.6

Cinema Ticket

$13.92 $13.92

$9.94 $9.94

$17.89 $17.89

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$1,858 $1,858

$1,205 $1,205

$2,820 $2,820

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$37.8K $37.8K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$59.2 $59.2

$20.14 $20.14

$89.6 $89.6

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$31.59 $31.59

$14.96 $14.96

$69.8 $69.8

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$79.6 $79.6

$59.6 $59.6

$167 $167

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$94.9 $94.9

$39.25 $39.25

$221 $221

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,477 $1,477

$1,223 $1,223

$1,834 $1,834

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,194 $1,194

$995 $995

$1,393 $1,393

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,797 $2,797

$2,543 $2,543

$3,051 $3,051

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,294 $2,294

$2,039 $2,039

$2,957 $2,957

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,268 $3,268

$2,935 $2,935

$3,820 $3,820

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,930 $2,930

$2,813 $2,813

$3,185 $3,185

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,920 $3,920

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.55

6.19

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: March 2, 2026

Chico, CA Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌎 North america

Cost of Living in Chico, CA - Frequently Asked Questions

Chico, CA sits in a middle ground for travelers, expats, and digital nomads who want practical value without the heft of a coast-city price tag. Cost of Living in Chico, CA, United States trends toward moderate housing and everyday expenses when you compare it to the Bay Area or coastal destinations, yet it isn’t a bargain-hunter’s dream on everything. You’ll find a mix of affordable apartments near campus and pricier downtown units, depending on proximity to Bidwell Park and restaurants. Utilities and groceries lean mid-range for the region. Seasonality matters: demand ticks up during university semesters and harvests. Tip: use multi-week housing searches and join local housing boards early.

Daily life in Chico centers on a compact, walkable core with a college vibe and a thriving arts scene. Housing search often benefits from neighborhood variety: midtown offers walkable cafes, while the south side tends to quiet streets and more space. For groceries and meals, you’ll find reliable regional markets and a mix of casual dining. Biking and buses cover most trips, and car-free days are workable in many blocks. If you’re remote, several coworking spots balance price and speed, plus short coffee shop work sessions work well. Chico, CA, United States living cost varies by season and neighborhood, but practical budgeting helps. Tip: sign leases with renewal options.

Quality of life in Chico hinges on pace, access to outdoors, and a solid local scene. Build a simple budgeting framework like a 50/30/20 approach for rent, essentials, and fun, then adjust by season: higher energy in college quarters and harvest months, quieter off-peak times. Save by choosing a neighborhood that matches your work style – downtown for walking access, or north and meadow districts for longer-term stays and space. Seasonal shifts affect dining and events, so plan some free outdoor activities around Bidwell Park and farmers markets. Tip: track recurring costs for utilities, transportation, and coworking to spot savings opportunities.