Austin vs Modesto

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.

💰 Salary Equivalence

To maintain the same standard of living:

See exact take-home pay: Texas salaries · California salaries

Living in Austin vs Modesto

Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Austin has a housing index of 123 while Modesto sits at 121 (national average = 100). The median home in Austin costs $430,000 compared to $380,000 in Modesto, a difference of $50,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,700 in Austin versus $1,400 in Modesto.

Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Austin scores 96 while Modesto scores 100. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.

Healthcare costs in Austin (97) are lower than Modesto (100). Both are close to the national average.

Median household income in Austin is $75,413 compared to $55,138 in Modesto. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Austin.

Relocating: Austin vs Modesto

If you are considering a move between Austin (index: 107) and Modesto (index: 112), the 4% cost difference has real implications for your budget. Austin is the more affordable option, but the right choice depends on your income, career opportunities, and lifestyle priorities.

Housing budget reality: Using the 28% rule (spending no more than 28% of gross income on housing), the median household in Austin can afford $1,760/month, while the median household in Modesto can afford $1,287/month. With median homes at $430,000 in Austin versus $380,000 in Modesto, homeownership requires above-median income in the pricier market.

Renting vs buying: At $1,700/month in Austin and $1,400/month in Modesto, renters face similar costs in both cities. The rent-to-own ratio in each city determines whether renting or buying offers better value for your situation.

Income adjustment: A $75,000 salary goes about equally far in both cities. Before accepting a job in either city, use the salary equivalence data above to understand what you would need to earn to maintain your current standard of living.

Reading These Numbers: Austin (107) vs Modesto (112)

The cost of living index uses 100 as the national average. Austin at 107 is 7% above the US average, while Modesto at 112 is 12% above average. There is a meaningful cost gap between these two cities that affects day-to-day budgeting.

Austin and Modesto land within 5 points of each other on the composite index (107 vs 112), so the overall cost picture is similar. Utilities shows the widest single-category margin at 97 versus 108, making it the area where residents will feel the most day-to-day price difference between Austin and Modesto. Housing costs are comparable between the two metros, with Austin at 123 and Modesto at 121 on the housing sub-index and median home prices of $430,000 and $380,000 respectively. Neither city is cheaper across the board: Austin has an edge in groceries and utilities, while Modesto is more affordable for housing. Your actual savings depend on which categories consume the biggest share of your personal budget.

For renters: With median rents of $1,700/month in Austin and $1,400/month in Modesto, the annual rent difference is approximately $3,600. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $18,000 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.

For homebuyers: The $50,000 difference in median home prices between Austin and Modesto translates to roughly $3,000 per month in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.

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