Can A Dental Hygienist Afford Rent in Chico, CA?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 17.9% of gross income.
Chico rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (California state estimate).
About rent and a dental hygienist salary
Dental hygienist pay covers comfortable rent in most US metros. At the national-average dental-hygienist salary, the 30% rule supports about $2,188 a month in rent, which is above the median in most cities.
Cheaper rent nearby
These California cities have lower median rent than Chico, which improves the affordability math on a dental hygienist salary:
Compare with full rent data for Chico
View full rent data for Chico, CA →Frequently asked questions
Can a dental hygienist afford rent in Chico, CA?
Median rent in Chico is $1,541 a month. A typical dental hygienist in California earns about $103,262 a year, which makes that rent 17.9% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a dental hygienist afford in Chico?
Using the 30% rule, a dental hygienist salary in California (~$103,262/yr) supports up to $2,582 a month in rent. Chico's current median rent is $1,541/mo, which leaves a $1,041/mo buffer.
How many hours does a dental hygienist work to cover rent in Chico?
At an hourly equivalent of about $50 an hour, a dental hygienist in California works roughly 31 hours a month to cover Chico's median rent of $1,541.
Where is rent cheaper than Chico for a dental hygienist?
Nearby California cities with lower median rent include Redding ($1,540/mo), Red Bluff ($1,540/mo), Redding ($1,530/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a dental hygienist salary.