The Chico metro is home to 209,470 people (down 7.8% over five years), with a median household income of $68,574. Typical rent of $1,549/month works out to 27.1% of the median household income — near the 30% affordability threshold (Census ACS + Zillow, September 2026).
The share of Chico's workforce by sector — the base of tenant demand:
| Sector | % of workforce |
|---|---|
| Education & health care | 27.5% |
| Arts, food & hospitality | 11.9% |
| Retail trade | 11.3% |
| Professional & management | 10.2% |
| Construction | 6.4% |
Education & health care is the metro's largest employment base — sectors like education and health care are recession-resilient anchors for rental demand.
Rents at 27.1% of median income leave moderate headroom; underwrite rent growth conservatively. Market pricing, yields and the Star Score live on the Chico market page; run a deal in the calculator.
At the 30%-of-income affordability rule, typical rent of $1,549/month suggests a household income around $62,000/year. The metro's median household income is $68,574.
By workforce share: Education & health care (27.5%), Arts, food & hospitality (11.9%), Retail trade (11.3%) (Census ACS 5-year).