Chico vs Nampa: Cost of Living (2026)
A side-by-side comparison of Chico, CA and Nampa, ID, using US Census Bureau data.
| Metric | Chico, CA | Nampa, ID |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,790 | 102,598 |
| Median household income | $65,932 | $67,346 |
| Median home value | $427,600 | $289,400 |
| Median rent (/mo) | $1,360 | $1,201 |
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Highlighted cell = more affordable / higher income.
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compare-top (set NEXT_PUBLIC_ADSENSE_CLIENT to serve real ads)Comparing Chico, CA and Nampa, ID comes down to what you value most. Nampa has the lower median home value, and Nampa has the lower median rent.
Nampa has the higher median household income, which affects how far a paycheck stretches against local housing costs. The table below breaks down the key numbers side by side, all sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Frequently asked questions
- Is it cheaper to live in Chico or Nampa?
- By median home value, Nampa is the cheaper of the two ($289,400 vs $427,600). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
- Which has higher salaries, Chico or Nampa?
- Median household income is $65,932 in Chico versus $67,346 in Nampa, per the US Census Bureau.