CostIndexUSA

Aurora, IL vs Chico, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

IL
Aurora
103.6
overall index
$2,100/mo rent
More AffordableCA
Chico
101.2
overall index
$1,575/mo rent

Chico is slightly cheaper than Aurora — 2.3% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Aurora, you would need $78,100 in Chico. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing17.9%
Aurora
112
Chico
91.9
🛒 Groceries2.0%
Aurora
107.3
Chico
105.2
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Aurora
105.5
Chico
105.3
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Aurora
95.5
Chico
95.3
Utilities+90.0%
Aurora
83.6
Chico
158.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Aurora to see what you'd need to earn in Chico to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Chico, CA
$78,100
$1,900 less needed in Chico

Formula: salary × (101.2 ÷ 103.6) = salary × 0.9768. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Aurora, IL

Median Home Price
$334,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,100
Housing Index
112
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.3×

Chico, CA

Median Home Price
$390,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,575
Housing Index
91.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.6×

Aurora has 17.9% lower housing costs compared to Chico.

Income & Job Market

Aurora, IL

Median Household Income
$87,100
Per Capita Income
$49,600
Unemployment Rate
4.9%
Population
197,899
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareRetailTechnologyFinance

Chico, CA

Median Household Income
$63,200
Per Capita Income
$36,000
Unemployment Rate
6.9%
Population
101,475
Top Industries
EducationHealthcareAgricultureManufacturingRetail

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Aurora, IL
3.5×income-to-rent ratio

71% of income left after rent (median)

Chico, CA
3.3×income-to-rent ratio

70% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.