CostIndexUSA

Modesto, CA vs Reno, NV Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Modesto
104.1
overall index
$2,100/mo rent
More AffordableNV
Reno
101
overall index
$1,900/mo rent

Reno is slightly cheaper than Modesto — 3.0% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Modesto, you would need $77,600 in Reno. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+13.8%
Modesto
108.5
Reno
123.5
🛒 Groceries8.5%
Modesto
105.2
Reno
96.3
🚗 Transportation1.5%
Modesto
105.3
Reno
103.7
🏥 Healthcare1.6%
Modesto
95.3
Reno
93.8
Utilities41.4%
Modesto
152.3
Reno
89.3

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Reno, NV
$77,600
$2,400 less needed in Reno

Formula: salary × (101 ÷ 104.1) = salary × 0.9702. 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×

Reno, NV

Median Home Price
$551,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,900
Housing Index
123.5
Price-to-Rent Ratio
24.2×

Reno has 13.8% higher housing costs compared to Modesto.

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

Reno, NV

Median Household Income
$83,800
Per Capita Income
$47,800
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
Population
264,165
Top Industries
GamingHealthcareManufacturingTechnologyLogistics

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)

Reno, NV
3.7×income-to-rent ratio

73% 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.