CostIndexUSA

Flint, MI vs Modesto, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableMI
Flint
93
overall index
$1,075/mo rent
CA
Modesto
104.1
overall index
$2,100/mo rent

Flint is moderately cheaper than Modesto — 11.9% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Flint, you would need $89,600 in Modesto. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+46.6%
Flint
74
Modesto
108.5
🛒 Groceries+12.3%
Flint
93.7
Modesto
105.2
🚗 Transportation+0.8%
Flint
104.5
Modesto
105.3
🏥 Healthcare+0.7%
Flint
94.6
Modesto
95.3
Utilities+56.8%
Flint
97.1
Modesto
152.3

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Modesto, CA
$89,600
$9,600 more needed in Modesto

Formula: salary × (104.1 ÷ 93) = salary × 1.1194. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Flint, MI

Median Home Price
$183,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,075
Housing Index
74
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.2×

Modesto, CA

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

Modesto has 46.6% higher housing costs compared to Flint.

Income & Job Market

Flint, MI

Median Household Income
$60,000
Per Capita Income
$34,200
Unemployment Rate
6.9%
Population
81,252
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingEducationGovernmentRetail

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).

Flint, MI
4.7×income-to-rent ratio

79% 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.