Cost of Living: Modesto, CA vs San Diego, 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 San Diego, CA. In the model, rent is about 23.45% of gross in Modesto, CA versus 32.4% in San Diego, 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 San Diego, CA
$3,974/mo
Income level: below
Rent share (1BR) in Modesto, CA
23.45%
COLI tier: mid-range
Rent share (1BR) in San Diego, CA
32.4%
COLI tier: very high-cost

Compare cost of living, rent, housing prices, and salary affordability between Modesto, CA and San Diego, 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: San Diego, CA

Cost of Living Index

Modesto, CA: 110.2 (U.S. = 100) · San Diego, CA: 142.3 (U.S. = 100)

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

Median Rent

Modesto, CA: $1,529/mo (midpoint of 1BR/2BR) · San Diego, CA: $2,112/mo

Median rent in San Diego, CA is $583/mo higher than in Modesto, CA.

Median Home Price

Modesto, CA: $415,600 · San Diego, CA: $848,500

Median home price in San Diego, CA is $432,900 higher than in Modesto, CA.

Median Household Income

Modesto, CA: $77,899 · San Diego, CA: $104,321

San Diego, CA has a higher median household income than Modesto, CA by $26,422.

Modesto, CA overview · San Diego, CA overview · Popular comparisons