Chico, WA vs Milton, WA

Chico, WA and Milton, WA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.6% difference in their overall index. Chico scores 141 while Milton scores 142 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Chico is $1,724/month compared to $1,986/month in Milton — a 13% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Chico has cheaper rent, Milton actually has lower median home values ($511,000 vs $620,300).

Median household income in Chico is $124,700 compared to $89,804 in Milton (+38.9%). Chico offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Chico spend roughly 16.6% of their income on rent, less than the 26.5% in Milton.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (53.8°F vs 51.9°F). Milton receives more rainfall at 42" per year compared to 36.5" in Chico.