Chico, WA vs Stanwood, WA

Stanwood is moderately more affordable than Chico, with a 5.3% lower cost of living index. Chico scores 141 compared to 134 for Stanwood, 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 Chico is $1,724/month compared to $1,625/month in Stanwood — a 6% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Stanwood is more affordable at $547,400 median vs $620,300.

Median household income in Chico is $124,700 compared to $87,477 in Stanwood (+42.6%). While Chico 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 16.6% of their income on rent, less than the 22.3% in Stanwood.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (53.8°F vs 52.1°F). Chico receives more rainfall at 36.5" per year compared to 19.9" in Stanwood.