CostIndexUSA

Chico, CA vs Virginia Beach, VA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Chico
101.2
overall index
$1,575/mo rent
More AffordableVA
Virginia Beach
97.9
overall index
$1,800/mo rent

Virginia Beach is slightly cheaper than Chico — 3.3% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Chico, you would need $77,400 in Virginia Beach. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+8.6%
Chico
91.9
Virginia Beach
99.8
🛒 Groceries8.0%
Chico
105.2
Virginia Beach
96.8
🚗 Transportation1.7%
Chico
105.3
Virginia Beach
103.5
🏥 Healthcare1.7%
Chico
95.3
Virginia Beach
93.7
Utilities43.6%
Chico
158.8
Virginia Beach
89.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Virginia Beach, VA
$77,400
$2,600 less needed in Virginia Beach

Formula: salary × (97.9 ÷ 101.2) = salary × 0.9674. 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×

Virginia Beach, VA

Median Home Price
$360,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,800
Housing Index
99.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.7×

Virginia Beach has 8.6% 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

Virginia Beach, VA

Median Household Income
$79,300
Per Capita Income
$45,200
Unemployment Rate
4.3%
Population
459,470
Top Industries
MilitaryTourismHealthcareRetailGovernment

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)

Virginia Beach, VA
3.7×income-to-rent ratio

73% 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.