CostIndexUSA

Glendale, CA vs Modesto, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Glendale
113.6
overall index
$2,550/mo rent
More AffordableCA
Modesto
104.1
overall index
$2,100/mo rent

Modesto is moderately cheaper than Glendale — 8.4% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Glendale, you would need $73,300 in Modesto. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing36.3%
Glendale
170.4
Modesto
108.5
🛒 Groceries1.3%
Glendale
106.6
Modesto
105.2
🚗 Transportation3.9%
Glendale
109.6
Modesto
105.3
🏥 Healthcare3.8%
Glendale
99.1
Modesto
95.3
Utilities4.0%
Glendale
158.6
Modesto
152.3

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Modesto, CA
$73,300
$6,700 less needed in Modesto

Formula: salary × (104.1 ÷ 113.6) = salary × 0.9164. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Glendale, CA

Median Home Price
$565,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,550
Housing Index
170.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.5×

Modesto, CA

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

Glendale has 36.3% lower housing costs compared to Modesto.

Income & Job Market

Glendale, CA

Median Household Income
$92,000
Per Capita Income
$52,400
Unemployment Rate
5.5%
Population
196,543
Top Industries
EntertainmentHealthcareRetailManufacturingFinance

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).

Glendale, CA
3.0×income-to-rent ratio

67% 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.