Chico, CA vs San Dimas, CA

The cost of living difference between Chico, CA and San Dimas, CA is dramatic. Chico is 30.7% cheaper than San Dimas, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Chico has a cost index of 118 while San Dimas sits at 170, 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 $2,232/month in San Dimas — a 35% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Chico is more affordable at $455,300 median vs $756,200.

Median household income in Chico is $67,929 compared to $105,833 in San Dimas (-35.8%). While San Dimas 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 25.3% in San Dimas.