Central Gardens, TX vs Chico, TX

Central Gardens is moderately more affordable than Chico, with a 9.8% lower cost of living index. Central Gardens scores 75 compared to 83 for Chico, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Chico can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Central Gardens is $798/month compared to $1,130/month in Chico — a 29% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Central Gardens has cheaper rent, Chico actually has lower median home values ($160,300 vs $233,200).

Median household income in Central Gardens is $81,042 compared to $58,125 in Chico (+39.4%). Central Gardens offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Central Gardens spend roughly 11.8% of their income on rent, less than the 23.3% in Chico.