Chico vs South Bend: Cost of Living (2026)
A side-by-side comparison of Chico, CA and South Bend, IN, using US Census Bureau data.
| Metric | Chico, CA | South Bend, IN |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,790 | 103,084 |
| Median household income | $65,932 | $49,056 |
| Median home value | $427,600 | $113,800 |
| Median rent (/mo) | $1,360 | $935 |
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 South Bend, IN comes down to what you value most. South Bend has the lower median home value, and South Bend has the lower median rent.
Chico 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 South Bend?
- By median home value, South Bend is the cheaper of the two ($113,800 vs $427,600). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
- Which has higher salaries, Chico or South Bend?
- Median household income is $65,932 in Chico versus $49,056 in South Bend, per the US Census Bureau.