2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Chico, CA vs West Des Moines, IA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in West Des Moines or is it cheaper to live in Chico?
- West Des Moines is 21.5% less expensive than Chico.

Which city has more affordable housing, West Des Moines or Chico?
- West Des Moines housing costs are 37.0% less expensive than Chico housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Chico or is Health Care more affordable in West Des Moines.
- Health related expenses are 15.2% less in West Des Moines.
 Chico, CAWest Des Moines, IAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock86.6100
 Food & Groceries102.0  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock102.4100
 Housing145.5  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$282,300$338,100
 Utilities111  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock71.3100
 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 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 West Des Moines    4 Reviews

Over 16 years ago

I just moved here from out-of-state a few months ago and have been pleasantly surprised by the broad range of activities and amenities available in this medium sized IA  More

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Over 16 years ago

Am contemplating a move to WDM from the East Coast (NYC). Might there be anyone out there that may have experienced this and could offer guidance or comment. Thanks.   More

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We just moved to West Des Moines and we love it here! We moved here three months ago and every weekend we have been able to do something different and fun. There is  More

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