Cost of Living: Modesto, CA vs Sacramento, CA

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 $3,974/mo in Sacramento, CA. In the model, rent is about 23.45% of gross in Modesto, CA versus 24.69% in Sacramento, CA, so Modesto, CA tends to feel more affordable for rent.

Take-home in Modesto, CA
$3,974/mo
Income level: below
Take-home in Sacramento, CA
$3,974/mo
Income level: below
Rent share (1BR) in Modesto, CA
23.45%
COLI tier: mid-range
Rent share (1BR) in Sacramento, CA
24.69%
COLI tier: higher-cost

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

At a glance

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

Cost of Living Index

Modesto, CA: 110.2 (U.S. = 100) · Sacramento, CA: 118.2 (U.S. = 100)

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

Median Rent

Modesto, CA: $1,529/mo (midpoint of 1BR/2BR) · Sacramento, CA: $1,610/mo

Median rent in Sacramento, CA is $81/mo higher than in Modesto, CA.

Median Home Price

Modesto, CA: $415,600 · Sacramento, CA: $484,600

Median home price in Sacramento, CA is $69,000 higher than in Modesto, CA.

Median Household Income

Modesto, CA: $77,899 · Sacramento, CA: $83,753

Sacramento, CA has a higher median household income than Modesto, CA by $5,854.

Modesto, CA overview · Sacramento, CA overview · Popular comparisons