2-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Chico, CA
Median asking rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in Chico, California as of July 2026. That's +6% lower than the citywide median of $1,577 and +10% below the national 2-bedroom median of $1,655.
Income needed for a 2-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 2-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 2-bedroom in California
| # | City | 2-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ridgecrest | $1,107 |
| 2 | Taft | $1,140 |
| 3 | Lakeport | $1,180 |
| 4 | Barstow | $1,216 |
| 5 | California City | $1,230 |
| 6 | Clearlake | $1,250 |
| 7 | Oroville | $1,305 |
| 8 | El Centro | $1,330 |
| 9 | Paradise | $1,330 |
| 10 | Red Bluff | $1,350 |
| 11 | Eureka | $1,360 |
| 12 | Shafter | $1,380 |
| 13 | Porterville | $1,390 |
| 14 | Hanford | $1,400 |
| 15 | Tehachapi | $1,440 |
Most expensive cities for a 2-bedroom in California
| # | City | 2-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Santa Cruz | $4,865 |
| 2 | Scotts Valley | $4,720 |
| 3 | Aptos | $4,720 |
| 4 | Foster City | $4,560 |
| 5 | Cupertino | $4,500 |
| 6 | Capitola | $4,290 |
| 7 | Coronado | $4,280 |
| 8 | Tiburon | $4,210 |
| 9 | Los Altos | $4,170 |
| 10 | Millbrae | $4,070 |
| 11 | Corte Madera | $4,040 |
| 12 | Solana Beach | $3,990 |
| 13 | Sunnyvale | $3,980 |
| 14 | Topanga | $3,940 |
| 15 | Rancho Palos Verdes | $3,940 |
Nearby cities — 2-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 4 of these cities have cheaper 2-bedroom rents than Chico.
| City | Distance | 2-Bedroom rent | vs Chico |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paradise, CA | 14.2 mi | $1,330 | $-160 (-11%) |
| Oroville, CA | 29 mi | $1,305 | $-185 (-12%) |
| Marysville, CA | 45 mi | $1,450 | $-40 (-3%) |
| Red Bluff, CA | 46.3 mi | $1,350 | $-140 (-9%) |
| Yuba City, CA | 52.7 mi | $1,645 | +$155 (+10%) |
| Olivehurst, CA | 54.3 mi | $1,510 | +$20 (+1%) |
| Anderson, CA | 55.9 mi | $1,490 | — |
| Redding, CA | 67.9 mi | $1,600 | +$110 (+7%) |
| Lincoln, CA | 69.3 mi | $2,800 | +$1,310 (+88%) |
| Grass Valley, CA | 69.4 mi | $1,780 | +$290 (+19%) |
| Woodland, CA | 74.8 mi | $1,915 | +$425 (+29%) |
| Auburn, CA | 76.6 mi | $1,960 | +$470 (+32%) |
2-Bedroom rent in Chico — common questions
How much is a 2-bedroom apartment in Chico?
As of July 2026, the median 2-bedroom apartment rent in Chico, California is $1,490 per month. This is +6% below the citywide median of $1,577.
What income do you need to afford a 2-bedroom in Chico?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $59,600 ($4,967/month gross), which works out to roughly $28.65/hour at a full-time job.
Is Chico expensive for a 2-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Chico's 2-bedroom median of $1,490 is +10% below the national 2-bedroom median of $1,655. It ranks in the 39th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Chico rank for 2-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 386 cities in California with 2-bedroom data, Chico ranks #20 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 2-bedroom options near Chico?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 2-bedroom rents include Paradise ($1,330), Oroville ($1,305), Marysville ($1,450).