What Does “Affordable” Mean in Chico?

HUD’s 2026 numbers for the Chico MSA tell an interesting story.

For a single person, 30% AMI — considered “Extremely Low Income” — is $20,450 a year, or about $1,704 a month.

HUD’s Fair Market Rent for an efficiency is $1,155 a month.

That means an efficiency at the HUD Fair Market Rent would take about 68% of the entire monthly income of someone at the 30% AMI limit.

The numbers make one thing pretty clear:

Having housing available isn’t the same thing as having housing people at the bottom of the income scale can afford.

Source: HUD 2026 Chico MSA Income Limits and Fair Market Rents, effective May 1, 2026.