Salary Needed to Live in Chico as a Family

A family of four (2 adults, 2 children) needs approximately $64,055/year to live comfortably in Chico, CA — including 15% savings.

Comfortable Salary
$64,055
with 15% savings
Bare Minimum
$50,893
no savings buffer
Monthly Expenses
$3,096
6% above national avg

Detailed Monthly Budget for a Family in Chico

ExpenseChicoNat'l AvgDiff
🏠 3BR Apartment/House Rent$267$209+28%
🛒 Groceries$63$44+43%
⚡ Utilities$23$28-18%
🚗 Transportation$37$44-16%
🛡️ Car Insurance$146$215-32%
🏥 Health Insurance$44$54-19%
Childcare/After-school$1,296$1,200+8%
Internet + Phones$194$180+8%
Children Activities$270$250+8%
Dining Out$378$350+8%
School Supplies & Clothing$216$200+8%
Healthcare Co-pays$162$150+8%
Total Monthly$3,096$2,924+6%

How We Calculated the Salary

Monthly expenses:$3,096
Target savings (15%):$688/mo
Monthly after-tax needed:$3,784
Effective tax rate:27%

Gross annual salary needed:$64,055

Other Household Types in Chico

Single Person
$20,762/yr
$1,090/mo expenses
Couple (No Kids)
$29,292/yr
$1,489/mo expenses
Retiree
$21,635/yr
$1,226/mo expenses

Related Pages

Living Alone in ChicoCity OverviewAfford on $75K?Afford on $100K?Cost of Living

FAQ

What salary does a family with kids need in Chico?
A family with kids needs approximately $64,055/year ($5,338/month gross) to live comfortably in Chico with a 15% savings rate.
How much is rent for a family with kids in Chico?
A 3br apartment/house in Chico costs approximately $267/month, which is the largest single expense at 9% of the total budget.
Is Chico affordable for a family with kids?
Chico is roughly average for family with kids costs, requiring a salary close to the national median.
← Back to Chico