CostIndexUSA

Chico, CA vs Lakeland, FL Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Chico
101.2
overall index
$1,575/mo rent
More AffordableFL
Lakeland
97.1
overall index
$1,825/mo rent

Lakeland is slightly cheaper than Chico — 4.1% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Chico, you would need $76,800 in Lakeland. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+4.4%
Chico
91.9
Lakeland
95.9
🛒 Groceries8.6%
Chico
105.2
Lakeland
96.2
🚗 Transportation1.4%
Chico
105.3
Lakeland
103.8
🏥 Healthcare1.5%
Chico
95.3
Lakeland
93.9
Utilities45.3%
Chico
158.8
Lakeland
86.9

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Lakeland, FL
$76,800
$3,200 less needed in Lakeland

Formula: salary × (97.1 ÷ 101.2) = salary × 0.9595. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Chico, CA

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

Lakeland, FL

Median Home Price
$295,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,825
Housing Index
95.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.5×

Lakeland has 4.4% higher housing costs compared to Chico.

Income & Job Market

Chico, CA

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

Lakeland, FL

Median Household Income
$66,900
Per Capita Income
$38,100
Unemployment Rate
3.7%
Population
119,428
Top Industries
HealthcareLogisticsManufacturingRetailAgriculture

Affordability at a Glance

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

Chico, CA
3.3×income-to-rent ratio

70% of income left after rent (median)

Lakeland, FL
3.1×income-to-rent ratio

67% 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.