CostIndexUSA

Little Rock, AR vs Modesto, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableAR
Little Rock
89.4
overall index
$1,200/mo rent
CA
Modesto
104.1
overall index
$2,100/mo rent

Little Rock is significantly cheaper than Modesto — 16.4% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Little Rock, you would need $93,200 in Modesto. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+58.9%
Little Rock
68.3
Modesto
108.5
🛒 Groceries+12.4%
Little Rock
93.6
Modesto
105.2
🚗 Transportation+5.2%
Little Rock
100.1
Modesto
105.3
🏥 Healthcare+5.3%
Little Rock
90.5
Modesto
95.3
Utilities+104.2%
Little Rock
74.6
Modesto
152.3

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Modesto, CA
$93,200
$13,200 more needed in Modesto

Formula: salary × (104.1 ÷ 89.4) = salary × 1.1644. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Little Rock, AR

Median Home Price
$222,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,200
Housing Index
68.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
15.4×

Modesto, CA

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

Modesto has 58.9% higher housing costs compared to Little Rock.

Income & Job Market

Little Rock, AR

Median Household Income
$66,200
Per Capita Income
$37,700
Unemployment Rate
3.4%
Population
202,591
Top Industries
GovernmentHealthcareRetailFinanceManufacturing

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).

Little Rock, AR
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.