CostIndexUSA

Modesto, CA vs Monroe, LA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Modesto
104.1
overall index
$2,100/mo rent
More AffordableLA
Monroe
83.6
overall index
$1,100/mo rent

Monroe is significantly cheaper than Modesto — 19.7% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Modesto, you would need $64,200 in Monroe. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing−60.6%
Modesto
108.5
Monroe
42.8
🛒 Groceries−10.9%
Modesto
105.2
Monroe
93.7
🚗 Transportation−4.6%
Modesto
105.3
Monroe
100.5
🏥 Healthcare−4.6%
Modesto
95.3
Monroe
90.9
⚡ Utilities−52.6%
Modesto
152.3
Monroe
72.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
→
Equivalent salary in Monroe, LA
$64,200
$15,800 less needed in Monroe

Formula: salary × (83.6 ÷ 104.1) = salary × 0.8031. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Modesto, CA

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

Monroe, LA

Median Home Price
$157,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,100
Housing Index
42.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
11.9×

Modesto has 60.6% lower housing costs compared to Monroe.

Income & Job Market

Modesto, CA

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

Monroe, LA

Median Household Income
$50,300
Per Capita Income
$28,700
Unemployment Rate
7.3%
Population
47,252
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationManufacturingGovernmentRetail

Affordability at a Glance

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

Modesto, CA
3.3×income-to-rent ratio

70% of income left after rent (median)

Monroe, LA
3.8×income-to-rent ratio

74% of income left after rent (median)

Modesto vs other cities

Modesto, CA
vs
Anaheim, CA
Index: 104.1Index: 113.6
Modesto, CA
vs
Bakersfield, CA
Index: 104.1Index: 100.9
Modesto, CA
vs
Chico, CA
Index: 104.1Index: 101.2
Modesto, CA
vs
Tacoma, WA
Index: 104.1Index: 111.1
Modesto, CA
vs
Huntsville, AL
Index: 104.1Index: 93.1

Monroe vs other cities

Monroe, LA
vs
Baton Rouge, LA
Index: 83.6Index: 90.8
Monroe, LA
vs
Lafayette, LA
Index: 83.6Index: 87.2
Monroe, LA
vs
Lake Charles, LA
Index: 83.6Index: 85.9
Monroe, LA
vs
Charleston, WV
Index: 83.6Index: 88.7
Monroe, LA
vs
San Luis Obispo, CA
Index: 83.6Index: 108.6

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.