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Modesto vs San Francisco: which is cheaper?

Modesto is 11% cheaperBased on official 2024 price levels from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.

I need $66,631 in San Francisco to live the same way.

🏠 Rent per month
$1,988
$3,201
🛏️ 2-bedroom rent
$1,761
$3,312
💵 Families earn per year
$86,162
$152,036
🔑 Buying a house
$442,700
$1,394,500
📊 Overall prices (U.S. = 100)
104.1
115.6
🏛️ Property tax per year
$2,835
$9,862
⚡ Electric bill per month
$166
$104
👥 People living there
219,215
830,235
Commute to work
30.2 min
30.4 min
College degree
21.2%
60.3%
Own their home
58.9%
38.2%
Below poverty line
13.3%
11.2%
Unemployment
7.2%
6.1%

Bottom line

Pay for the same job

JobModestoSan FranciscoDifference
Market Research Analyst$71,600$123,250+72% in San Francisco
Software Developer$119,770$186,640+56% in San Francisco
Firefighter$77,370$113,700+47% in San Francisco
Operations Manager$104,330$149,990+44% in San Francisco
Registered Nurse$132,590$186,610+41% in San Francisco
Computer Systems Analyst$99,760$134,460+35% in San Francisco
Police Officer$98,230$132,000+34% in San Francisco
Accountant$83,560$110,730+33% in San Francisco

Frequently asked questions

Is Modesto or San Francisco cheaper to live in?

Modesto is about 11% cheaper overall. Rent is $1,988 a month there versus $3,201 in San Francisco.

What salary do I need in San Francisco to match $60,000 in Modesto?

About $66,631 a year gives the same standard of living in San Francisco.

Where do people earn more, Modesto or San Francisco?

The typical household earns $86,162 in Modesto and $152,036 in San Francisco, 43% more in San Francisco.

More comparisons

All Modesto comparisons → · All San Francisco comparisons →

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