Cost of Living: Modesto, CA vs Phoenix, AZ

Quick rent-and-take-home comparison

Using a baseline of $70,000/yr gross, take-home is about $3,974/mo in Modesto, CA versus $4,370/mo in Phoenix, AZ. In the model, rent is about 23.45% of gross in Modesto, CA versus 21.24% in Phoenix, AZ, so Phoenix, AZ tends to feel more affordable for rent.

Take-home in Modesto, CA
$3,974/mo
Income level: below
Take-home in Phoenix, AZ
$4,370/mo
Income level: near
Rent share (1BR) in Modesto, CA
23.45%
COLI tier: mid-range
Rent share (1BR) in Phoenix, AZ
21.24%
COLI tier: mid-range

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

At a glance

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

Cost of Living Index

Modesto, CA: 110.2 (U.S. = 100) · Phoenix, AZ: 102.4 (U.S. = 100)

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

Median Rent

Modesto, CA: $1,529/mo (midpoint of 1BR/2BR) · Phoenix, AZ: $1,385/mo

Median rent in Modesto, CA is $144/mo higher than in Phoenix, AZ.

Median Home Price

Modesto, CA: $415,600 · Phoenix, AZ: $381,900

Median home price in Modesto, CA is $33,700 higher than in Phoenix, AZ.

Median Household Income

Modesto, CA: $77,899 · Phoenix, AZ: $77,041

Modesto, CA has a higher median household income than Phoenix, AZ by $858.

Modesto, CA overview · Phoenix, AZ overview · Popular comparisons