CostIndexUSA

Modesto, CA vs Santa Fe, NM Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Modesto
104.1
overall index
$2,100/mo rent
More AffordableNM
Santa Fe
98.8
overall index
$1,950/mo rent

Santa Fe is moderately cheaper than Modesto — 5.1% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Modesto, you would need $75,900 in Santa Fe. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing≈ Equal
Modesto
108.5
Santa Fe
108
🛒 Groceries8.7%
Modesto
105.2
Santa Fe
96.1
🚗 Transportation1.7%
Modesto
105.3
Santa Fe
103.5
🏥 Healthcare1.8%
Modesto
95.3
Santa Fe
93.6
Utilities49.6%
Modesto
152.3
Santa Fe
76.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Santa Fe, NM
$75,900
$4,100 less needed in Santa Fe

Formula: salary × (98.8 ÷ 104.1) = salary × 0.9491. 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×

Santa Fe, NM

Median Home Price
$541,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,950
Housing Index
108
Price-to-Rent Ratio
23.1×

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

Santa Fe, NM

Median Household Income
$78,700
Per Capita Income
$44,900
Unemployment Rate
4.7%
Population
84,683
Top Industries
GovernmentTourismArtsHealthcareEducation

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)

Santa Fe, NM
3.4×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.