CostIndexUSA

Modesto, CA vs Visalia, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Modesto
104.1
overall index
$2,100/mo rent
More AffordableCA
Visalia
99.8
overall index
$1,775/mo rent

Visalia is slightly cheaper than Modesto — 4.1% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Modesto, you would need $76,700 in Visalia. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing22.5%
Modesto
108.5
Visalia
84.1
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Modesto
105.2
Visalia
105.2
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Modesto
105.3
Visalia
105.3
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Modesto
95.3
Visalia
95.3
Utilities+2.7%
Modesto
152.3
Visalia
156.4

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Visalia, CA
$76,700
$3,300 less needed in Visalia

Formula: salary × (99.8 ÷ 104.1) = salary × 0.9587. 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×

Visalia, CA

Median Home Price
$352,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,775
Housing Index
84.1
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.5×

Modesto has 22.5% lower housing costs compared to Visalia.

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

Visalia, CA

Median Household Income
$73,100
Per Capita Income
$41,700
Unemployment Rate
8.2%
Population
141,384
Top Industries
AgricultureHealthcareManufacturingRetailGovernment

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)

Visalia, CA
3.4×income-to-rent ratio

71% 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.