Chico vs Wichita Falls: Cost of Living (2026)
A side-by-side comparison of Chico, CA and Wichita Falls, TX, using US Census Bureau data.
| Metric | Chico, CA | Wichita Falls, TX |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,790 | 102,482 |
| Median household income | $65,932 | $55,584 |
| Median home value | $427,600 | $128,800 |
| Median rent (/mo) | $1,360 | $949 |
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 Wichita Falls, TX comes down to what you value most. Wichita Falls has the lower median home value, and Wichita Falls 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 Wichita Falls?
- By median home value, Wichita Falls is the cheaper of the two ($128,800 vs $427,600). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
- Which has higher salaries, Chico or Wichita Falls?
- Median household income is $65,932 in Chico versus $55,584 in Wichita Falls, per the US Census Bureau.