Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
4% cheaper
Austin is 4% more affordable than Modesto. A $75,000 salary in Modesto is equivalent to $71,652 in Austin.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Texas salaries · California salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Austin has a housing index of 123 while Modesto sits at 121 (national average = 100). The median home in Austin costs $430,000 compared to $380,000 in Modesto, a difference of $50,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,700 in Austin versus $1,400 in Modesto.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Austin scores 96 while Modesto scores 100. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Austin (97) are lower than Modesto (100). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Austin is $75,413 compared to $55,138 in Modesto. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Austin.
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