Cost of Living in Chico
Chico runs genuinely more affordable than coastal California's Tier A/A+ markets, layered with California's real high-income-tax structure and a real, disclosed housing-cost legacy from the 2018 Camp Fire's displaced population.
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Learn moreHousing costs carry a real, disclosed spread and a documented demand-shock history
Zillow's average home value ran $462,666 (down 5.5% year-over-year), while Redfin's median sale price ran a higher $478,739 as of June 2026 -- both real, disclosed figures below coastal California's Tier A/A+ markets, though genuinely elevated relative to pre-2018 levels given the Camp Fire's documented 15% price jump in the months immediately following the disaster.
Rent carries a real, disclosed spread
One-bedroom rent figures ranged from $1,100 to $1,320 across sources reviewed this pass -- confirm a specific current listing directly, noting CSU Chico's real student population creates genuine seasonal demand swings.
California's real progressive income tax and Chico's combined sales tax rate
California's real, current top marginal income tax rate of 13.3% (the highest in the US) applies to Chico residents the same as anywhere else in the state, alongside a real 9.25% combined sales tax rate.
Butte County's disclosed, wide property tax rate spread
Butte County's effective property tax rate carries a real, disclosed, and unusually wide spread across sources reviewed -- from 0.70% up to a separately cited 1.07% -- disclosed rather than resolved.
Key takeaways
- Chico's housing figures ($462,666-$478,739) run genuinely below coastal California's Tier A/A+ markets, but carry a real, disclosed demand-shock legacy from the 2018 Camp Fire.
- One-bedroom rent ranges $1,100-$1,320 across sources -- confirm a specific listing directly.
- California's real 13.3% top income tax bracket and a 9.25% combined sales tax rate both apply in Chico.
- Butte County's effective property tax rate carries a real, disclosed wide spread (0.70%-1.07%).
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