What is the cost of living in Modesto, CA?
According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Modesto has an overall cost of living index of 128, which is 1.3x higher than the national index of 100.
Compared to California, Modesto has a cost of living index that's 0.9x lower than California's index of 142.
The standard of living in Modesto ranks as #151 most affordable out of the 634 places we measured in California. By definition, that implies Modesto ranks as the #483 most expensive place in the Golden State.
For more reading on life in Modesto, check out:
Modesto Cost Of Living Vs. California
Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Modesto. Here is how it fares on each of the criteria:
The Services index in Modesto is 114.
The Groceries index in Modesto is 121.
The Health index in Modesto is 156.
The Housing index in Modesto is 121.
The Transportation index in Modesto is 121.
The Utilities index in Modesto is 119.
| Living Expense | Modesto | California | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 128 | 142 | 100 |
| Services | 114 | 110 | 100 |
| Groceries | 121 | 118 | 100 |
| Health | 156 | 197 | 100 |
| Housing | 121 | 120 | 100 |
| Transportation | 121 | 121 | 100 |
| Utilities | 119 | 121 | 100 |
Modesto Cost Of Living Compared To California Averages
Index where 100 = national average. Source: cost-of-living index 2026.
For more reading on cost of living around California, check out:
Protect your home budget Compare home warranties in Modesto Get matched →Source: Cost-of-living index 2026, normalized to US average = 100
Modesto, CA Housing Cost Breakdown
Housing swings affordability the most between places in California, so we broke down housing costs into more detail. Home and income data comes from the most recent US Census ACS 2020-2024. The key points are:
The Median Home Value in Modesto is $446,493.
The Median Rent in Modesto is $1,690.
The Median Income in Modesto is $79,891.
The Home Value To Income in Modesto is 5.6x.
The Rent To Monthly Income in Modesto is 0.25x.
| Statistic | Modesto | California | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $446,493 | $774,581 | $332,700 |
| Median Rent | $1,690 | $2,036 | $1,413 |
| Median Income | $79,891 | $99,122 | $80,734 |
| Home Value To Income | 5.6x | 7.8x | 4.1x |
| Rent To Monthly Income | 0.25x | 0.25x | 0.21x |
Modesto, CA Costs By Category
Detailed Modesto Services costs vs. California
| Item | Modesto | California |
|---|---|---|
| Shampoo | $1.56 | $1.28 |
| Movie | $14.64 | $12.13 |
| Bowling | $23.78 | $18 |
| Haircut | $26.83 | $24.26 |
| Beauty Salon | $76.57 | $45.56 |
Detailed Modesto Groceries costs vs. California
| Item | Modesto | California |
|---|---|---|
| Ground Beef | $6.21 | $5.84 |
| Fried Chicken | $2.1 | $1.57 |
| Milk | $4.99 | $4.67 |
| Potatoes | $4.98 | $4.93 |
| Pizza | $15.69 | $12.09 |
| Beer | $10.96 | $10.41 |
| Toothpaste | $3.86 | $3.7 |
Detailed Modesto Health costs vs. California
| Item | Modesto | California |
|---|---|---|
| Optometrist | $157.88 | $125.68 |
| Doctor | $166.71 | $135.78 |
| Dentist | $148.27 | $113.29 |
Detailed Modesto Transportation costs vs. California
| Item | Modesto | California |
|---|---|---|
| Gasoline | $4.63 | $3.46 |
| Tire Balancing | $70.51 | $59.92 |
Detailed Modesto Utilities costs vs. California
| Item | Modesto | California |
|---|---|---|
| All Electricity | $299.78 | $193.99 |
| Phone | $191.56 | $192.25 |
Modesto SnackAbility
Cost Of Living In Cities Around Modesto
The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around Modesto. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:
Turlock, CA has a cost of living index of 131, 1.0x Modesto.
Ceres, CA has a cost of living index of 126, 1.0x Modesto.
Riverbank, CA has a cost of living index of 132, 1.0x Modesto.
| City | Population | Cost Of Living | Vs. Modesto |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turlock, CA | 72,502 | 131 | 1.0x |
| Ceres, CA | 49,342 | 126 | 1.0x |
| Riverbank, CA | 25,166 | 132 | 1.0x |
| Oakdale, CA | 23,194 | 134 | 1.0x |
| Ripon, CA | 16,201 | 152 | 1.2x |
| Salida, CA | 13,900 | 136 | 1.1x |
| Delhi, CA | 11,009 | 122 | 1.0x |
| Waterford, CA | 9,204 | 125 | 1.0x |
| Hughson, CA | 7,648 | 136 | 1.1x |
| Escalon, CA | 7,451 | 146 | 1.1x |
