Merced, CA vs Chico, CA: cost of living compared
Price levels from BEA (2024); rent and home values from Zillow (September 2026).
The short answer
- Overall, Chico, CA is 3.0% more expensive than Merced, CA (BEA, 2024).
- To keep the same standard of living, $75,000 in Merced works out to about $77,200 in Chico, before taxes.
- Most of the difference is housing, which costs 16.9% more in Chico. Goods are 0.0% higher and other services 0.0% higher.
- Typical asking rent is $1,549 a month in Chico and $2,059 in Merced, $6,120 a year less in Chico (Zillow, September 2026).
- A typical home is valued at about $394,000 in Chico and $414,000 in Merced.
- The gap has widened since 2019, when Chico was 1.0% more expensive than Merced.
derived Calculated from BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) and Zillow data. Based on an average household's spending; taxes not included. How we calculate.
Category by category
Both cities against the US average (100). The gap in each row is what matters for a move.
Housing drives the gap: 16.9% higher in Chico than in Merced
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
- Merced, CA
- Chico, CA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Merced, CA | Chico, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 98.3 | 101.2 |
| Goods | 105.2 | 105.2 |
| Housing (rents) | 78.6 | 91.9 |
| Utilities | 158.3 | 158.8 |
| Other services | 100.3 | 100.3 |
| Category | Merced | Chico | Chico vs Merced |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 98.3 | 101.2 | +3.0% |
| Goods | 105.2 | 105.2 | 0.0% |
| Housing (rents) | 78.6 | 91.9 | +16.9% |
| Utilities | 158.3 | 158.8 | +0.3% |
| Other services | 100.3 | 100.3 | 0.0% |
| Typical asking rent | $2,059 | $1,549 | −24.8% |
| Typical home value | $414,000 | $394,000 | −4.7% |
| Salary to match $75,000 in Merced | $75,000 | $77,200 | +3.0% |
Index values: BEA, 2024, US = 100. Rent and home values: Data Provided by Zillow Group, September 2026.
How the gap has changed since 2008
The price gap between Merced and Chico has narrowed since 2008: 5.2 points then, 2.9 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
- Merced, CA
- Chico, CA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Merced, CA | Chico, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 94.3 | 99.4 |
| 2009 | 98.4 | 102.3 |
| 2010 | 96.7 | 100.7 |
| 2011 | 98.4 | 102.1 |
| 2012 | 98.6 | 103.5 |
| 2013 | 98.1 | 100.5 |
| 2014 | 96.1 | 99.8 |
| 2015 | 95.7 | 98.4 |
| 2016 | 95.3 | 97.1 |
| 2017 | 98.3 | 100.9 |
| 2018 | 101.1 | 104.2 |
| 2019 | 101.2 | 102.2 |
| 2020 | 98.7 | 101.8 |
| 2021 | 100.3 | 102.5 |
| 2022 | 102.9 | 104.2 |
| 2023 | 99.6 | 104.7 |
| 2024 | 98.3 | 101.2 |
Goods
- Merced, CA
- Chico, CA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Merced, CA | Chico, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 95.1 | 95.1 |
| 2009 | 101.4 | 101.4 |
| 2010 | 97.3 | 97.3 |
| 2011 | 99.0 | 99.0 |
| 2012 | 99.8 | 99.8 |
| 2013 | 98.2 | 98.2 |
| 2014 | 96.6 | 96.6 |
| 2015 | 94.9 | 94.9 |
| 2016 | 94.0 | 94.0 |
| 2017 | 99.8 | 99.8 |
| 2018 | 105.3 | 105.3 |
| 2019 | 104.8 | 104.8 |
| 2020 | 104.5 | 104.5 |
| 2021 | 106.9 | 106.9 |
| 2022 | 109.0 | 109.0 |
| 2023 | 104.9 | 104.9 |
| 2024 | 105.2 | 105.2 |
Housing (rents)
- Merced, CA
- Chico, CA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Merced, CA | Chico, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 82.3 | 111.4 |
| 2009 | 88.1 | 107.7 |
| 2010 | 87.9 | 110.3 |
| 2011 | 85.3 | 104.4 |
| 2012 | 84.4 | 111.7 |
| 2013 | 88.2 | 100.6 |
| 2014 | 77.6 | 99.1 |
| 2015 | 81.9 | 97.4 |
| 2016 | 83.4 | 93.8 |
| 2017 | 90.4 | 105.9 |
| 2018 | 83.6 | 100.9 |
| 2019 | 88.4 | 95.3 |
| 2020 | 79.5 | 97.1 |
| 2021 | 88.7 | 102.4 |
| 2022 | 84.2 | 91.4 |
| 2023 | 76.8 | 100.7 |
| 2024 | 78.6 | 91.9 |
Utilities
- Merced, CA
- Chico, CA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Merced, CA | Chico, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 102.3 | 102.0 |
| 2009 | 101.4 | 100.9 |
| 2010 | 113.3 | 112.3 |
| 2011 | 115.3 | 113.2 |
| 2012 | 118.7 | 115.8 |
| 2013 | 116.8 | 116.6 |
| 2014 | 122.2 | 121.0 |
| 2015 | 123.2 | 123.3 |
| 2016 | 117.9 | 121.0 |
| 2017 | 112.8 | 117.7 |
| 2018 | 123.1 | 126.8 |
| 2019 | 130.7 | 132.4 |
| 2020 | 135.2 | 136.8 |
| 2021 | 146.5 | 146.1 |
| 2022 | 149.0 | 150.6 |
| 2023 | 147.7 | 151.8 |
| 2024 | 158.3 | 158.8 |
Other services
- Merced, CA
- Chico, CA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Merced, CA | Chico, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 97.7 | 97.7 |
| 2009 | 100.7 | 100.7 |
| 2010 | 98.8 | 98.8 |
| 2011 | 102.5 | 102.5 |
| 2012 | 102.4 | 102.4 |
| 2013 | 101.1 | 101.1 |
| 2014 | 101.0 | 101.0 |
| 2015 | 99.8 | 99.8 |
| 2016 | 98.9 | 98.9 |
| 2017 | 99.2 | 99.2 |
| 2018 | 103.7 | 103.7 |
| 2019 | 101.8 | 101.8 |
| 2020 | 100.4 | 100.4 |
| 2021 | 98.6 | 98.6 |
| 2022 | 103.9 | 103.9 |
| 2023 | 104.2 | 104.2 |
| 2024 | 100.3 | 100.3 |
Rent and home values
Typical asking rent: $1,549 in Chico vs $2,059 in Merced
Typical asking rent for a new lease, dollars per month. Quarterly.
- Merced, CA
- Chico, CA
- United States
Source: Zillow Observed Rent Index (typical asking rent, all homes, smoothed), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Merced, CA | Chico, CA | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $973 | $923 | $1,145 |
| Jun 2015 | $985 | $935 | $1,170 |
| Sep 2015 | $998 | $947 | $1,181 |
| Dec 2015 | $1,017 | $947 | $1,182 |
| Mar 2016 | $1,031 | $959 | $1,195 |
| Jun 2016 | $1,079 | $988 | $1,219 |
| Sep 2016 | $1,107 | $994 | $1,225 |
| Dec 2016 | $1,104 | $994 | $1,222 |
| Mar 2017 | $1,133 | $1,026 | $1,245 |
| Jun 2017 | $1,183 | $1,028 | $1,270 |
| Sep 2017 | $1,206 | $1,037 | $1,276 |
| Dec 2017 | $1,194 | $1,032 | $1,275 |
| Mar 2018 | $1,240 | $1,073 | $1,296 |
| Jun 2018 | $1,283 | $1,083 | $1,320 |
| Sep 2018 | $1,293 | $1,080 | $1,327 |
| Dec 2018 | $1,262 | $1,107 | $1,329 |
| Mar 2019 | $1,316 | $1,158 | $1,349 |
| Jun 2019 | $1,361 | $1,201 | $1,376 |
| Sep 2019 | $1,381 | $1,193 | $1,383 |
| Dec 2019 | $1,361 | $1,189 | $1,381 |
| Mar 2020 | $1,384 | $1,216 | $1,402 |
| Jun 2020 | $1,409 | $1,223 | $1,406 |
| Sep 2020 | $1,433 | $1,227 | $1,410 |
| Dec 2020 | $1,510 | $1,250 | $1,407 |
| Mar 2021 | $1,518 | $1,257 | $1,443 |
| Jun 2021 | $1,644 | $1,307 | $1,512 |
| Sep 2021 | $1,751 | $1,344 | $1,590 |
| Dec 2021 | $1,775 | $1,320 | $1,622 |
| Mar 2022 | $1,802 | $1,373 | $1,661 |
| Jun 2022 | $1,834 | $1,381 | $1,721 |
| Sep 2022 | $1,821 | $1,414 | $1,748 |
| Dec 2022 | $1,818 | $1,400 | $1,735 |
| Mar 2023 | $1,837 | $1,418 | $1,757 |
| Jun 2023 | $1,874 | $1,426 | $1,785 |
| Sep 2023 | $1,892 | $1,437 | $1,797 |
| Dec 2023 | $1,887 | $1,415 | $1,786 |
| Mar 2024 | $1,898 | $1,445 | $1,807 |
| Jun 2024 | $1,938 | $1,451 | $1,837 |
| Sep 2024 | $1,982 | $1,496 | $1,845 |
| Dec 2024 | $1,989 | $1,472 | $1,836 |
| Mar 2025 | $2,000 | $1,488 | $1,860 |
| Jun 2025 | $2,021 | $1,501 | $1,880 |
| Sep 2025 | $2,037 | $1,517 | $1,881 |
| Dec 2025 | $2,029 | $1,527 | $1,873 |
| Mar 2026 | $2,027 | $1,532 | $1,894 |
| Jun 2026 | $2,064 | $1,538 | $1,921 |
| Sep 2026 | $2,059 | $1,549 | $1,932 |
Typical home value: $394,000 in Chico vs $414,000 in Merced
Typical home value, dollars. Quarterly.
- Merced, CA
- Chico, CA
- United States
Source: Zillow Home Value Index (typical home value, middle tier, smoothed, seasonally adjusted), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Merced, CA | Chico, CA | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $193K | $235K | $189K |
| Jun 2015 | $198K | $238K | $192K |
| Sep 2015 | $204K | $241K | $195K |
| Dec 2015 | $209K | $246K | $199K |
| Mar 2016 | $213K | $252K | $202K |
| Jun 2016 | $217K | $254K | $204K |
| Sep 2016 | $222K | $257K | $206K |
| Dec 2016 | $227K | $264K | $209K |
| Mar 2017 | $235K | $269K | $213K |
| Jun 2017 | $241K | $274K | $216K |
| Sep 2017 | $245K | $279K | $219K |
| Dec 2017 | $252K | $284K | $223K |
| Mar 2018 | $259K | $291K | $227K |
| Jun 2018 | $264K | $295K | $230K |
| Sep 2018 | $269K | $298K | $234K |
| Dec 2018 | $273K | $300K | $236K |
| Mar 2019 | $282K | $314K | $239K |
| Jun 2019 | $287K | $329K | $242K |
| Sep 2019 | $289K | $335K | $244K |
| Dec 2019 | $292K | $339K | $247K |
| Mar 2020 | $296K | $340K | $252K |
| Jun 2020 | $299K | $338K | $255K |
| Sep 2020 | $305K | $344K | $260K |
| Dec 2020 | $319K | $361K | $271K |
| Mar 2021 | $335K | $374K | $282K |
| Jun 2021 | $357K | $386K | $296K |
| Sep 2021 | $372K | $393K | $306K |
| Dec 2021 | $386K | $398K | $314K |
| Mar 2022 | $408K | $414K | $330K |
| Jun 2022 | $426K | $426K | $346K |
| Sep 2022 | $422K | $419K | $348K |
| Dec 2022 | $408K | $409K | $345K |
| Mar 2023 | $396K | $396K | $343K |
| Jun 2023 | $399K | $397K | $347K |
| Sep 2023 | $405K | $395K | $352K |
| Dec 2023 | $409K | $390K | $354K |
| Mar 2024 | $414K | $391K | $357K |
| Jun 2024 | $421K | $393K | $361K |
| Sep 2024 | $423K | $392K | $361K |
| Dec 2024 | $424K | $393K | $363K |
| Mar 2025 | $422K | $392K | $364K |
| Jun 2025 | $419K | $392K | $362K |
| Sep 2025 | $415K | $393K | $362K |
| Dec 2025 | $415K | $395K | $364K |
| Mar 2026 | $415K | $396K | $366K |
| Jun 2026 | $414K | $394K | $365K |
| Sep 2026 | $414K | $394K | $366K |
More about each city
What this comparison leaves out
- Taxes. State and local income, sales and property taxes can change the result a lot, especially between states.
- Neighborhoods. These are metro-wide averages; a city center and its outer suburbs can differ by more than two metros do.
- Your own spending mix. The default uses an average household. Use the housing slider above if rent is a bigger share of your budget.
- Timing. BEA price levels are for 2024; Zillow figures are monthly and newer.