2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Chico, CA vs Arcata, CA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Arcata or is it cheaper to live in Chico?
- Arcata is 2.1% less expensive than Chico.

Which city has more affordable housing, Arcata or Chico?
- Arcata housing costs are 6.3% less expensive than Chico housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Chico or is Health Care more affordable in Arcata.
- Health related expenses are 2.6% less in Arcata.
 Chico, CAArcata, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock108.0100
 Food & Groceries102.0  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock117.7100
 Housing145.5  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$444,300$338,100
 Utilities111  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock81.2100
 Miscellaneous115.1  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Chico    31 Reviews

Chico is imperfect like most places, but it's still good. Any and all of it's issues proceed from it's main fault of growing increasingly liberal, which is to be  More

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Uuwuu · 
Over 3 years ago

Chico's decent. I've been living here for ~5 years now. Eveen though my brother loves Chico and would like to stay, I would like to leave. I have no issues with crime or  More

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I was born in Oroville and I grew up in Oroville and Biggs. I have heard all my life about crime in chico. Well I have lived in Chico near Chapman for almost 10 years  More

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Reviews for Arcata    17 Reviews

Pros: Nature hikes Cons: One of highest crime rates in the nation. Opioid epidemic going on (you’ll regularly witness drug deals and ppl doing drugs) No  More

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It takes a special set of preferences to select Arcata. Is this you? - You love clouds and fog. You are happy if you see the sun maybe 10-20 times a year. - Chilly  More

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Over 11 years ago

I've lived in Humboldt for over 30 yrs and know all the areas well. Arcata is the jewel of Humboldt due to having a university and many liberal creative people. There is  More

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