2027 MNM LIVABILITY INDEX

Chico

California (CA)

Best for: University-connected households and residents seeking Northern California outdoor access

2027 CITY CLASSMedium City100,000–299,999 residents

Modern Livability75.2/ 100

AT A GLANCE

Everyday numbers

Population105,081

Median Home$468,100

Median Rent$1,488

Median Household Income$66,977

Cost of LivingRPP 101.2 (US=100; BEA 2024; metro area)

Average Commute17.8 min (ACS 2020-2024)

Unemployment6.8% (ACS 2020-2024; civilian labor force)

Metro AreaChico, CA

2027 MODERN LIVABILITY SCORECARD

How this city actually lives

Twelve dimensions capture both hard data and the everyday experience traditional lists tend to miss.

75.2overall

Housing & Financial Reality56.0

Housing burden, taxes, insurance, utilities and what local incomes actually buy.

Ease of Living91.0

Errands, commute friction, parking, services and the effort required for daily life.

Safety & Stability65.0

Personal, neighborhood, road and environmental stability.

Economic Opportunity64.0

Jobs, wages, career mobility, employer diversity and economic resilience.

Health & Wellness81.0

Healthcare access, activity, mental wellness, healthy food and environmental health.

Beauty & Sense of Place85.0

Scenery, architecture, trees, cleanliness, public realm and distinct sense of place.

Mobility & Congestion72.0

Traffic delay, commute reliability, walking, cycling and transit usefulness.

Nature & Escape90.0

Trails, water, mountains, parks, public lands and how easily residents can escape.

Diversity & Belonging80.0

Diversity, integration, accessibility, newcomer friendliness and community connection.

Climate & Environment66.0

Comfortable weather, air quality, severe weather and environmental exposure.

Community & Culture83.0

Restaurants, arts, events, third places, recreation and social life.

Infrastructure & Connectivity75.0

Broadband, utilities, airport, highways, transit and essential connectivity.

THE THINGS OLD-SCHOOL LISTS MISS

What daily life feels like

Traffic / CongestionACS average one-way commute: 17.8 minutes (2020-2024, excluding workers at home). Workplace location and departure time still determine individual travel. This is a commute measure, not a live traffic-delay index.

Weekend EscapeThe city park system and its hiking and mountain-biking trails provide a strong outdoor component. Regional trips depend on travel time and seasonal conditions.

WalkabilityCitywide Walk Score 49/100 (directory checked October 2026). Many errands require a car; selected centers may be more walkable.

Airport AccessSacramento International Airport (SMF) is a regional air-travel option. Check the airport for current destinations; no drive-time estimate is assumed.

Outdoor AccessThe city park system and its hiking and mountain-biking trails provide a strong outdoor component.

Healthcare AccessEnloe Health in Chico provides a local or nearby hospital option. Check insurance networks, service availability and specialist access individually.

Air QualityAir quality changes by day and season. Check AirNow for local ozone and fine-particle conditions, particularly during heat or smoke events; no citywide annual AQI rating is assigned here.

Third Places / Social LifeChico's parks and recreation facilities provide public gathering spaces. A college-town setting with a recognizable center and substantial outdoor recreation nearby. The mix of libraries, cafes and community activities varies by neighborhood.

EDITORIAL VIEW

More than a number

Trajectory: Growing: +1.1% population change from 2024 to 2025 (same Census vintage). This describes population only, not a forecast.

WHY IT STANDS OUT

Why we chose it

Chico has 105,081 residents in the Census Bureau's July 1, 2025 estimate and is #316 in the incorporated-place population ranking used for this batch. The ACS 2020-2024 estimates report a median owner-occupied home value of $468,100, median monthly gross rent of $1,488, and median household income of $66,977. These are survey-period estimates, not current listings or asking rents. The city park system and its hiking and mountain-biking trails provide a strong outdoor component. Livability scores are provisional editorial assessments for review, not official Census ratings.

REAL LIFE

What living here actually feels like

A college-town setting with a recognizable center and substantial outdoor recreation nearby.

STRENGTHS

Where it shines

Relatively short average commute; Access to Enloe Health in Chico; The city park system and its hiking and mountain-biking trails provide a strong outdoor component.

TRADEOFFS