How much does it cost to rent in Chico, CA?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Chico, CA is $1,577. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Chico cheaper than other California cities?

Chico is among the more affordable cities in California, ranking #377 out of 387 cities at $1,577/mo.

When was Chico rent data last updated?

Chico rent data reflects July 2026 and was last refreshed on July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

Is Chico a renter's market or a landlord's market?

Based on RentDataNow's Rent Market Meter, Chico is currently a renter's market. Rents are softening (down 0.6% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage. The meter is derived from rent-price momentum (year-over-year and month-over-month change), not inventory levels.

City Report · CA

Chico

Name: Average Rent Prices in Chico, CA
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://rentdatanow.com/terms-of-service

Pop. 102,188·377th most expensive in California·Rental market data updated monthly for Chico, CA

Median rent (all units)

$1,577/mo

Year-over-Year

-0.6%

Month-over-Month

-1.9%

vs US Median

-$388

Falling (Monthly)

Be the first to discuss Chico rents ↓

Most AffordableMost Expensive

Chico · $1,577

More affordable than 71% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

69/100

Good value

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 10% below what Chico's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent

$1,577/mo

Expected by trend

$1,744/mo

The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Chico's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,087

1 BR

$1,147

2 BR

$1,490

3 BR

$2,087

4 BR+

$2,503

Research median

$1,490/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost

$18,924/yr

At $1,577/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Renter's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are softening (down 0.6% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage.

Based on rent-price momentum (-0.6% YoY, -1.9% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Chico, CA is majority renter-occupied, skews toward younger working-age adults, 42.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

102,188

Median income

$66,977

Median age

31.1

Renters

56.6%

Age distribution

18.4%

36.7%

22.1%

14.2%

Under 1818.4%

18–3436.7%

35–5422.1%

55–648.5%

65+14.2%

Gender

49.2%

50.8%

Male49.2%

Female50.8%

Race & ethnicity

69.2%

20.5%

White69.2%

Black2.3%

Hispanic20.5%

Asian5.3%

Other2.7%

Education (25+)

16.5%

34.8%

42.2%

No HS diploma6.5%

HS diploma16.5%

Some college34.8%

Bachelor's+42.2%

Housing tenure

43.4%

56.6%

Owner43.4%

Renter56.6%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Chico, CA has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,356 → $1,577

up 16.3%

Income

$60,507 → $66,977

up 10.7%

Population

103,898 → 102,188

down 1.6%

Renter share

55.8% → 56.6%

+0.8 pts

Bachelor's+

39.6% → 42.2%

+2.6 pts

Median age

30.3 → 31.1

+0.8 yrs

Since 2021, the typical rent in Chico, CA has increased from $1,356 to $1,577, a 16.3% change over five years. Median household income rose from $60,507 to $66,977 between 2021 and 2024, a 10.7% shift. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. The population has contracted by 1.6% since 2021, moving from about 103,898 residents to roughly 102,188. College-educated residents now make up 42.2% of adults here, versus 39.6% in 2021. Taken together, the five-year picture in Chico, CA reflects how housing costs and the people paying them have evolved through a stretch that included a pandemic, a hot rental market, and a recent cooling phase.

Community

Discussions about Chico

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View Chico rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Chico on your salary?

At $1,577/mo, how Chico rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $111,486/yr · Rent = 17% income

very comfortable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $79,154/yr · Rent = 23.9% income

affordable

Police Officer

Avg $91,179/yr · Rent = 20.8% income

affordable

Software Developer

Avg $162,970/yr · Rent = 11.6% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $208,235/yr · Rent = 9.1% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $74,116/yr · Rent = 25.5% income

affordable

Truck Driver

Avg $66,918/yr · Rent = 28.3% income

affordable

Electrician

Avg $82,482/yr · Rent = 22.9% income

affordable

By apartment size

Chico rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Chico. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Chico

About renting in Chico, CA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Chico is $1,577/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,087/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,490/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,147/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,087/mo.

At 28% of local median household income ($66,977/yr), Chico ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 0.6% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Chico an affordable city for renters?

Chico is considered affordable for renters. At $1,577/mo, rent takes approximately 28% of the local median household income ($66,977/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Chico falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Chico?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $63,000/year (~$30/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,577/mo in Chico. The local median household income is $66,977/yr, meaning the typical Chico household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Chico?

Rent in Chico has decreased 0.6% over the past year as of July 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

Which Chico neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Chico are 95928 ($1,527/mo), 95926 ($1,557/mo), and 95973 ($1,665/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Chico is $1,577/mo.

How does Chico rent compare to other cities in California?

Chico is one of the more affordable cities in California for rent, ranking #377 out of 387 tracked cities at $1,577/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Chico?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Chico ($1,577/mo): Oroville ($1,315/mo), Paradise ($1,409/mo), Red Bluff ($1,477/mo).

What percentage of Chico residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 56.6% of Chico households are renters, while 43.4% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Chico has a strong rental market.

How does Chico rent compare to the national average?

Chico's median rent of $1,577/mo is $388 (20%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within California, it ranks #377 out of 387 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

28%

AFFORDABLE

At $1,577/mo, rent takes ~28% of Chico's median household income ($66,977/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Chico 28%Benchmark 30%

State income tax1–13.3%

Run the Chico affordability calculator →

Nearby cities