Chico, CA vs Manhattan Beach, CA

The cost of living difference between Chico, CA and Manhattan Beach, CA is dramatic. Chico is 62% cheaper than Manhattan Beach, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Chico has a cost index of 118 while Manhattan Beach sits at 310, 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 $3,492/month in Manhattan Beach — a 59% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Chico is more affordable at $455,300 median vs $2,000,001.

Median household income in Chico is $67,929 compared to $193,904 in Manhattan Beach (-65%). While Manhattan 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 21.6% in Manhattan Beach.