CostIndexUSA

Aurora, CO vs Modesto, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CO
Aurora
105.8
overall index
$1,850/mo rent
More AffordableCA
Modesto
104.1
overall index
$2,100/mo rent

Modesto is slightly cheaper than Aurora — 1.6% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Aurora, you would need $78,700 in Modesto. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing26.1%
Aurora
146.9
Modesto
108.5
🛒 Groceries+4.2%
Aurora
101
Modesto
105.2
🚗 Transportation+0.9%
Aurora
104.4
Modesto
105.3
🏥 Healthcare+0.8%
Aurora
94.5
Modesto
95.3
Utilities+73.3%
Aurora
87.9
Modesto
152.3

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Aurora to see what you'd need to earn in Modesto to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Modesto, CA
$78,700
$1,300 less needed in Modesto

Formula: salary × (104.1 ÷ 105.8) = salary × 0.9839. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Aurora, CO

Median Home Price
$559,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,850
Housing Index
146.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
25.2×

Modesto, CA

Median Home Price
$457,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,100
Housing Index
108.5
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.1×

Aurora has 26.1% lower housing costs compared to Modesto.

Income & Job Market

Aurora, CO

Median Household Income
$103,100
Per Capita Income
$58,800
Unemployment Rate
3.6%
Population
366,623
Top Industries
HealthcareAerospaceTechnologyGovernmentRetail

Modesto, CA

Median Household Income
$82,800
Per Capita Income
$47,200
Unemployment Rate
6.6%
Population
218,464
Top Industries
AgricultureHealthcareManufacturingRetailEducation

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Aurora, CO
4.6×income-to-rent ratio

78% of income left after rent (median)

Modesto, CA
3.3×income-to-rent ratio

70% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.