Cost of Living: Highland, CA vs Modesto, CA

Quick rent-and-take-home comparison

Using a baseline of $70,000/yr gross, take-home is about $3,974/mo in Highland, CA versus $3,974/mo in Modesto, CA. In the model, rent is about 22.42% of gross in Highland, CA versus 23.45% in Modesto, CA, so Highland, CA tends to feel more affordable for rent.

Take-home in Highland, CA
$3,974/mo
Income level: below
Take-home in Modesto, CA
$3,974/mo
Income level: below
Rent share (1BR) in Highland, CA
22.42%
COLI tier: mid-range
Rent share (1BR) in Modesto, CA
23.45%
COLI tier: mid-range

Compare cost of living, rent, housing prices, and salary affordability between Highland, CA and Modesto, CA.

At a glance

  • Cheaper overall (lower cost-of-living index): Highland, CA
  • Lower rent (median 1BR/2BR): Highland, CA
  • Lower home prices: Modesto, CA
  • Higher median household income: Highland, CA

Cost of Living Index

Highland, CA: 100 (U.S. = 100) · Modesto, CA: 110.2 (U.S. = 100)

Highland, CA has a lower cost-of-living index than Modesto, CA, so a given salary generally stretches further there.

Median Rent

Highland, CA: $1,462/mo (midpoint of 1BR/2BR) · Modesto, CA: $1,529/mo

Median rent in Modesto, CA is $67/mo higher than in Highland, CA.

Median Home Price

Highland, CA: $455,200 · Modesto, CA: $415,600

Median home price in Highland, CA is $39,600 higher than in Modesto, CA.

Median Household Income

Highland, CA: $77,979 · Modesto, CA: $77,899

Highland, CA has a higher median household income than Modesto, CA by $80.

Highland, CA overview · Modesto, CA overview · Popular comparisons