salaryRent is higher than in 68% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 5.1 years of household income. Commutes are long, about 30.2 minutes each way.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $79,520 a year. That is $38 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other California cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of California. It is number 221 of 653 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
Compare Modesto with other big cities
Compare Modesto to 149 other cities →
How much do households earn in Modesto?
Share of households by yearly income. 28.6% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Modesto
| Size | Modesto | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,139 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,406 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,761 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,993 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,362 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Modesto overall?
Everyday prices in the Modesto metro area are 4% above the U.S. average (index 104.1, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Modesto
Life in Modesto
What jobs pay in Modesto
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Nurse Practitioner | $173,380 | 13.8% |
| Physician Assistant | $165,730 | 14.4% |
| Lawyer | $164,010 | 14.5% |
| Pharmacist | $160,520 | 14.9% |
| Registered Nurse | $132,590 | 18.0% |
| Dental Hygienist | $123,910 | 19.3% |
| Software Developer | $119,770 | 19.9% |
| Operations Manager | $104,330 | 22.9% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $101,640 | 23.5% |
| Civil Engineer | $101,000 | 23.6% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $99,760 | 23.9% |
| Police Officer | $98,230 | 24.3% |
| Accountant | $83,560 | 28.5% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $78,200 | 30.5% |
| Firefighter | $77,370 | 30.8% |
| Electrician | $76,710 | 31.1% |
| Carpenter | $73,730 | 32.4% |
| Market Research Analyst | $71,600 | 33.3% |
| HVAC Technician | $64,760 | 36.8% |
| Plumber | $63,280 | 37.7% |
| Truck Driver | $58,330 | 40.9% |
| Medical Assistant | $49,990 | 47.7% |
| Customer Service Representative | $47,230 | 50.5% |
| Warehouse Worker | $46,630 | 51.2% |
| Nursing Assistant | $46,550 | 51.2% |
| Restaurant Cook | $41,910 | 56.9% |
| Retail Salesperson | $37,430 | 63.7% |
| Cashier | $36,490 | 65.4% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $34,910 | 68.3% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Modesto?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $1,084 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $442,700 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $44,270 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Modesto, CA?
Renting in Modesto costs a median of about $1,988 a month in 2026, including utilities. The California median is $2,357.
How much do I need to make to live in Modesto?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $79,520 a year, or $38 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Modesto cheap or expensive?
Modesto is rated OK: rent takes 27.7% of the typical household income of $86,162. It ranks 221st cheapest of 653 California cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Modesto?
The median homeowner in Modesto pays $2,835 a year in property taxes, about 0.64% of the median home value.
Is Modesto more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 4% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Modesto?
The median home value in Modesto is $442,700, about 5.1 times the typical yearly household income.
219,215 people live in Modesto. Numbers are typical (middle) values.