Salary Needed to Live in Chico as a Single

A single adult living independently needs approximately $20,762/year to live comfortably in Chico, CA — including 10% savings.

Comfortable Salary
$20,762
with 10% savings
Bare Minimum
$17,918
no savings buffer
Monthly Expenses
$1,090
1% above national avg

Detailed Monthly Budget for a Single in Chico

ExpenseChicoNat'l AvgDiff
🏠 Studio/1BR Rent$144$113+27%
🛒 Groceries$25$17+47%
⚡ Utilities$12$14-14%
🚗 Transportation$22$26-15%
🛡️ Car Insurance$146$215-32%
🏥 Health Insurance$44$54-19%
Internet$70$65+8%
Phone$92$85+8%
Dining & Social$324$300+8%
Entertainment$130$120+8%
Personal Care$81$75+8%
Total Monthly$1,090$1,084+1%

How We Calculated the Salary

Monthly expenses:$1,090
Target savings (10%):$140/mo
Monthly after-tax needed:$1,230
Effective tax rate:27%

Gross annual salary needed:$20,762

Other Household Types in Chico

Couple (No Kids)
$29,292/yr
$1,489/mo expenses
Family with Kids
$64,055/yr
$3,096/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 single person need in Chico?
A single person needs approximately $20,762/year ($1,730/month gross) to live comfortably in Chico with a 10% savings rate.
How much is rent for a single person in Chico?
A studio/1br in Chico costs approximately $144/month, which is the largest single expense at 13% of the total budget.
Is Chico affordable for a single person?
Chico is roughly average for single person costs, requiring a salary close to the national median.
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