Cost of Living in Modesto, CA
| Cost of Living in Modesto, CA | Compared to State Average | Compared to National Average |
|---|---|---|
| Housing (Buy and Rent) | 39% lower | 19% higher |
| Utilities (Monthly) | 12% higher | 39% higher |
| Food | 10% lower | 4% higher |
| Healthcare | 11% lower | 4% lower |
| Transportation | 7% lower | 21% higher |
| Goods & Services | 6% lower | 4% higher |
The cost of living in Modesto, CA is 19% lower than the state average and 13% higher than the national average. Modesto, CA housing is 19% more expensive than the U.S average, while utilities are about 39% pricier. When it comes to basic necessities such as food and clothing, groceries are around 4% pricier in Modesto, CA than in the rest of the country, while clothing costs around 4% more .
Healthcare services such as doctor check-ups and dentistry cost 4% less here compared to the U.S. average. At the same time, non-necessary expenses such as entertainment and grooming services are 4% pricier in Modesto, CA.
Housing is the most significant expense for most American households. The cost of living in a certain city takes into account both the price of rent and the price of a home. The average monthly rent in Modesto is $1,711, while home prices circle around $584,242.
Both owning and renting come with utility expenses. These costs include basic services such as energy and telecommunications. In Modesto, energy bills cost around $327.03 per month.
Food is the most important necessity and its cost varies around the country. This section includes the prices of everyday foods such as produce, meat and dairy. A bottle of milk costs about $4.79 in Modesto, a dozen eggs go for around $4.83 and a pound of potatoes circles around $4.88.
The benchmark for this category is based on the prices of family doctor visits and specialized services such as optometry. In Modesto, an optometry check-up costs around $132.22, while a dentist appointment is priced $109.71 on average.
Transportation expenses depend on multiple factors, with fuel being the most important. A gallon of gas is priced around $4.34 in Modesto, while getting your tires balanced will run you about $59.50.
The cost of clothing tells you how much more or less money you need to buy basic items such as jeans, shirts or slacks in a new city. A men's shirt costs around $39.51 here. Meanwhile, a pair of women's slacks will set you back around $37.99.
The cost of entertainment and everyday services is based on common expenses in each category. For a movie ticket in Modesto, you should budget around $13.35 a month. When it comes to personal services, a haircut usually goes for $24.99, while dry cleaning costs about $19.62.
The cost of living also takes median household income into account, so you can estimate how much more or less you could be earning in a new city by comparing it to the income in your current area. In Modesto, the median household income is $73,375.