2026 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Chico, CA vs San Bernardino, CA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in San Bernardino or is it cheaper to live in Chico?
- San Bernardino is 7.5% more expensive than Chico.

Which city has more affordable housing, San Bernardino or Chico?
- San Bernardino housing costs are 14.5% less expensive than Chico housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Chico or is Health Care more affordable in San Bernardino.
- Health related expenses are 28.2% less in San Bernardino.
 Chico, CASan Bernardino, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock118.6100
 Food & Groceries102.0  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock86.7100
 Housing145.5  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$435,500$338,100
 Utilities111  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock111.3100
 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 4 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 San Bernardino    19 Reviews

Over 5 years ago

Living in san bernardino for now 8 years, id definitely say la is way better, from just looks to safety. i've seen a lot of sh*t happen here an it's sad. i never leave  More

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This place is the biggest county in all the United States, and it is also the biggest **** hole in the United States. It is a historical place with a tremendous story to  More

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Over 8 years ago

While I do believe the average housing price is slightly off (it is listed at $229,000, but it's actually more like $250,000), San Bernardino is still one of the most  More

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