Cost of Living in Modesto, California
Modesto has a population of about 219,215. The median household income is $79,891, median gross rent is $1,690/month, and the median home value is $442,700. These figures come from 2020-2024 ACS 5-Year estimates, the latest full-coverage Census baseline for U.S. cities.
How current is this? Census city data is released with a lag because it is survey-based and designed for consistent coverage across small and large places. Use it as an official affordability baseline; current apartment listings and mortgage rates may differ.
Is Modesto expensive to live in?
Compared with the national median in this dataset, rent in Modesto is about the national median and home values are 18% above the national median. Household income here is 5% below the national median. Monthly rent represents roughly 25% of the median annual household income, a rough affordability signal for renters.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Modesto?
The median gross rent in Modesto, California is $1,690 per month in the 2020-2024 ACS 5-Year estimates.
What is the median home price in Modesto?
The median owner-occupied home value in Modesto is $442,700 in the 2020-2024 ACS 5-Year estimates.
How much do people earn in Modesto?
The median household income in Modesto is $79,891 per year in the 2020-2024 ACS 5-Year estimates.
Data source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2020-2024 ACS 5-Year Estimates. Local database last refreshed 2026-07-11.