Chico, CA vs Huntington Beach, CA

The cost of living difference between Chico, CA and Huntington Beach, CA is dramatic. Chico is 41% cheaper than Huntington Beach, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Chico has a cost index of 118 while Huntington Beach sits at 200, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Chico is $1,442/month compared to $2,424/month in Huntington Beach — a 41% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Chico is more affordable at $455,300 median vs $1,047,300.

Median household income in Chico is $67,929 compared to $119,885 in Huntington Beach (-43.3%). While Huntington Beach is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Chico spend roughly 25.5% of their income on rent, more than the 24.3% in Huntington Beach.