Salary comparison
Physical Therapists: Carson City vs Chico
Chico, CA pays about 11.7% more for physical therapists on paper — $134,970 vs $120,810. But once you factor in what it costs to live there, Chico comes out ahead by $14,160 a year in real buying power.
Carson City, NV
$120,810
$100,980
$125,080
$58.08
100
$120,810/yr
Median adjusted for local cost of living.
Chico, CA
$134,970
$105,210
$135,370
$64.89
100
$134,970/yr
Median adjusted for local cost of living.
What the numbers mean in practice
The headline gap is $14,160 a year (11.7%) in favor of Chico. That is the raw salary difference before any living costs.
Carson City runs a cost index of 100 against the national baseline of 100; Chico sits at 100. After adjusting the median for those costs, Chico is the better deal by $14,160 a year — that is what each paycheck actually buys locally.
If you are weighing a move from Carson City to Chico for this role, the raise needs to beat 11.7% to come out ahead after living costs. Anything below that and you are earning more on paper but keeping less.
Common questions
Where do physical therapists earn more, Carson City or Chico?
Chico pays $134,970 on median — about 11.7% more than Carson City ($120,810). Based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Which city is the better deal after living costs?
Chico. Once you divide each median by the local cost index, Chico gives you roughly$134,970 of real buying power versus $120,810 in the other city.