CostIndexUSA

Chico, CA vs Provo, UT Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Chico
101.2
overall index
$1,575/mo rent
More AffordableUT
Provo
98.2
overall index
$1,750/mo rent

Provo is slightly cheaper than Chico — 3.0% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Chico, you would need $77,600 in Provo. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+13.3%
Chico
91.9
Provo
104.1
🛒 Groceries8.4%
Chico
105.2
Provo
96.4
🚗 Transportation1.3%
Chico
105.3
Provo
103.9
🏥 Healthcare1.4%
Chico
95.3
Provo
94
Utilities50.5%
Chico
158.8
Provo
78.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Provo, UT
$77,600
$2,400 less needed in Provo

Formula: salary × (98.2 ÷ 101.2) = salary × 0.9704. 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×

Provo, UT

Median Home Price
$534,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,750
Housing Index
104.1
Price-to-Rent Ratio
25.4×

Provo has 13.3% 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

Provo, UT

Median Household Income
$100,800
Per Capita Income
$57,500
Unemployment Rate
3.6%
Population
116,288
Top Industries
TechnologyEducationHealthcareManufacturingFinance

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)

Provo, UT
4.8×income-to-rent ratio

79% 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.