Salary comparison
Physical Therapists: Chico vs Sacramento
Chico, CA pays about 2.7% more for physical therapists on paper — $134,970 vs $131,430. But once you factor in what it costs to live there, Chico comes out ahead by $3,540 a year in real buying power.
Chico, CA
$134,970
$105,210
$135,370
$64.89
100
$134,970/yr
Median adjusted for local cost of living.
Sacramento, CA
$131,430
$106,230
$143,580
$63.19
100
$131,430/yr
Median adjusted for local cost of living.
What the numbers mean in practice
The headline gap is $3,540 a year (2.7%) in favor of Chico. That is the raw salary difference before any living costs.
Chico runs a cost index of 100 against the national baseline of 100; Sacramento sits at 100. After adjusting the median for those costs, Chico is the better deal by $3,540 a year — that is what each paycheck actually buys locally.
If you are weighing a move from Sacramento to Chico for this role, the raise needs to beat 2.7% 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, Chico or Sacramento?
Chico pays $134,970 on median — about 2.7% more than Sacramento ($131,430). 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 $131,430 in the other city.