2026 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Gainesville, FL vs Chico, CA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Chico or is it cheaper to live in Gainesville?
- Chico is 19.6% more expensive than Gainesville.

Which city has more affordable housing, Chico or Gainesville?
- Chico housing costs are 84.9% more expensive than Gainesville housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Gainesville or is Health Care more affordable in Chico.
- Health related expenses are 12.3% more in Chico.
 Gainesville, FLChico, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock110.3100
 Food & Groceries99.2  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock120.8100
 Housing78.7  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$440,000$338,100
 Utilities105  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock84.9100
 Miscellaneous104.8  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Gainesville    60 Reviews

Over 4 years ago

I've lived here most of my life. It's changed a lot, and a lot of the locals don't like it. Because it's home to one of the largest universities in the country, we see a  More

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Lovely diverse city! People is nice and there is always something to do. Outdoors activities are awesome! The springs are beautiful and there are plenty of hiking  More

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Gainesville has the highest taxes and electrical rates in the state. The city is run by a bunch of liberals who have no idea what they are doing. Crime and homelessness  More

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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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