Median Age
33 Years
Largest Age Group
20-29 Years
Approximately 22% of Residents
Under 20
23%
Over 65
16%
Chico
Chico, CA Area Guide
Avg Rent
$1,237
Population
96,613
Renter Mix
56% Rent
Northern California town provides natural tranquility and bustling amenities.
Nature
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Quaint
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Artistic
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Green Space
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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.
Demographics
Median Household Income
$67,883
Average: $89,619
Education
31,082
Residents Have a Degree
Job Market
48,545
Workers Employed
Age Distribution
Get a sense of this area's population profile.
Housing Distribution
Chico has more renters than homeowners.
Renters
56%
Non-Renters
44%
Education Distribution
Review this city's overall education levels.
Bachelor's or Higher
26%
Other Education
74%
Rent Trends
As of May 2026, the average apartment rent in Chico, CA is $940 for a studio, $1,237 for one bedroom, $1,473 for two bedrooms, and $1,729 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Chico has increased by 1.5% in the past year.
Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$1,237/month
625 Sq Ft
House
$2,215/month
1,187 Sq Ft
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
Scores provided by
Schools
Public
Grades K-5
406 Students
Public
Grades K-5
406 Students
Public
Grades K-5
597 Students
Public
Grades K-5
597 Students
Public
Grades K-5
571 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
716 Students
Marsh (Harry M.) Junior High School
Public
Grades 6-8
716 Students
Public
Grades K-12
916 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
861 Students
Public
Grades K-8
585 Students
Inspire School of Arts and Sciences
Public
Grades 9-12
332 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
1,978 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
1,978 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
1,804 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
1,804 Students
School data provided by
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
Points of Interest
Shopping Centers
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
CY Property Management
-
10
Communities
-
230
Units
-
1
City
10 Communities in Chico
OSM Investment Company
-
18
Communities
-
1,001
Units
-
10
Cities
6 Communities in Chico
RCMI
-
19
Communities
-
2,939
Units
-
15
Cities
2 Communities in Chico
Starock Group
-
11
Communities
-
1,230
Units
-
7
Cities
2 Communities in Chico
Trinity Property Consultants
-
168
Communities
-
42,403
Units
-
98
Cities
1 Community in Chico
Cambridge Real Estate Services
-
16
Communities
-
2,348
Units
-
14
Cities
1 Community in Chico
Search Nearby 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.
Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.