Chico

Locals explore Bidwell Park in Canyon Oaks neighborhood, Chico.
There is Japanese cuisine at Izakaya Ichiban Restaurant in the California Park, Chico.
Downtown Chico
Many Chico Vecino residents shop for groceries at Safeway.
Chico Marketplace is a mall near Little Chico Creek Estates.

Chico, CA Area Guide

Northern California town provides natural tranquility and bustling amenities.

Nature Quaint Artistic Green Space

Welcome to Chico, a charming college town nestled in California's Sacramento Valley. Home to California State University, Chico, this tree-lined city combines natural beauty with local culture. Bidwell Park, one of the nation's largest municipal parks, stretches across the city, offering miles of hiking trails and natural swimming areas. The historic downtown features local shops and restaurants, while the weekly farmers market showcases regional produce. The city's neighborhoods include preserved Victorian-era homes near campus and contemporary residential communities throughout the area. Current rental trends show moderate increases, with one-bedroom apartments averaging $1,201, representing a 2.5% year-over-year increase, while two-bedroom units average $1,411.

Officially nicknamed the "City of Trees" and "City of Roses," Chico features several museums, art galleries, and theaters. The city is also home to Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, which operates a popular taproom and restaurant. The surrounding agricultural landscape includes almond and walnut orchards that create spectacular spring blooms. Chico's commitment to alternative transportation has earned recognition as a gold-level bicycle-friendly city from the League of American Bicyclists, with bike paths connecting neighborhoods throughout town. The Mediterranean climate brings mild winters and warm summers, making outdoor activities possible throughout the year in this Northern California community.

Explore the City

Downtown Chico

Many Chico Vecino residents shop for groceries at Safeway.

Chico Marketplace is a mall near Little Chico Creek Estates.

Family picnics under a tree at the community center in East Streets.

As Cohasset is surrounded by wilderness, fire insurance is a must.

Rent Trends

As of March 2026, the average apartment rent in Chico, CA is $942 for a studio, $1,236 for one bedroom, $1,465 for two bedrooms, and $1,731 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Chico has increased by 1.8% in the past year.

Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$1,236/month
623 Sq Ft
House
$2,181/month
1,088 Sq Ft
See Rental Market Trends in Chico, CA

Getting Around

Explore how walkable, bikeable, drivable, and transit-friendly Chico, CA is for everyday living.

Fairly walkable

Walkability

40 / 100

Limited public transit

Transit

20 / 100

Exceptionally drivable

Drivability

90 / 100

Moderately bikeable

Bikeability

60 / 100

Schools

Parkview Elementary

Public

Grades K-5

Marigold Elementary

Public

Grades K-5

Neal Dow Elementary

Public

Grades K-5

Emma Wilson Elementary

Public

Grades K-5

Nord Country

Public

Grades K-8

CORE Butte Charter

Public

Grades K-12

Wildflower Open Classroom

Public

Grades K-8

Chico Country Day

Public

Grades K-8

CORE Butte Charter

Public

Grades K-12

Pleasant Valley High

Public

Grades 9-12

Chico High

Public

Grades 9-12

Loma Vista School

Public

Grades K-12

12 Students

Points of Interest

Parks and Recreation

  • Chico Creek Nature Center
  • Bidwell Park
  • Gateway Science Museum
  • Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park
  • Bidwell-Sacramento River State Park

Commuter Rail

Military Bases

Top Apartments in Chico

Houses for Rent in Chico

Property Management Companies in Chico, CA

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Nearby City Rentals

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Methodology

† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.

Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.

Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in February 2026.