1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Chico, CA
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Chico, California as of July 2026. That's +27% lower than the citywide median of $1,577 and +18% below the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Chico
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a 1-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Chico
Compare Chico's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 1-bedroom in California
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Taft | $880 |
| 2 | Ridgecrest | $887 |
| 3 | Lakeport | $900 |
| 4 | California City | $950 |
| 5 | Clearlake | $950 |
| 6 | Barstow | $974 |
| 7 | Oroville | $1,005 |
| 8 | El Centro | $1,020 |
| 9 | Paradise | $1,020 |
| 10 | Red Bluff | $1,030 |
| 11 | Eureka | $1,040 |
| 12 | Porterville | $1,060 |
| 13 | Shafter | $1,060 |
| 14 | Tehachapi | $1,110 |
| 15 | Hanford | $1,120 |
Most expensive cities for a 1-bedroom in California
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cupertino | $3,880 |
| 2 | Foster City | $3,820 |
| 3 | Santa Cruz | $3,710 |
| 4 | Scotts Valley | $3,600 |
| 5 | Aptos | $3,600 |
| 6 | Tiburon | $3,530 |
| 7 | Los Altos | $3,530 |
| 8 | Coronado | $3,460 |
| 9 | Sunnyvale | $3,438 |
| 10 | Millbrae | $3,410 |
| 11 | Corte Madera | $3,390 |
| 12 | Santa Barbara | $3,382 |
| 13 | Palo Alto | $3,305 |
| 14 | Mountain View | $3,303 |
| 15 | Ladera Ranch | $3,280 |
Nearby cities — 1-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Chico.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Chico |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paradise, CA | 14.2 mi | $1,020 | $-127 (-11%) |
| Oroville, CA | 29 mi | $1,005 | $-142 (-12%) |
| Marysville, CA | 45 mi | $1,140 | $-7 (-1%) |
| Red Bluff, CA | 46.3 mi | $1,030 | $-117 (-10%) |
| Yuba City, CA | 52.7 mi | $1,295 | +$148 (+13%) |
| Olivehurst, CA | 54.3 mi | $1,190 | +$43 (+4%) |
| Anderson, CA | 55.9 mi | $1,140 | $-7 (-1%) |
| Redding, CA | 67.9 mi | $1,217 | +$70 (+6%) |
| Lincoln, CA | 69.3 mi | $2,260 | +$1,113 (+97%) |
| Grass Valley, CA | 69.4 mi | $1,355 | +$208 (+18%) |
| Woodland, CA | 74.8 mi | $1,455 | +$308 (+27%) |
| Auburn, CA | 76.6 mi | $1,570 | +$423 (+37%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Chico — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Chico?
As of July 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Chico, California is $1,147 per month. This is +27% below the citywide median of $1,577.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Chico?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $45,880 ($3,823/month gross), which works out to roughly $22.06/hour at a full-time job.
Is Chico expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Chico's 1-bedroom median of $1,147 is +18% below the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 32th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Chico rank for 1-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 385 cities in California with 1-bedroom data, Chico ranks #20 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Chico?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Paradise ($1,020), Oroville ($1,005), Marysville ($1,140).