City Comparison

Antioch vs Modesto

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Antioch

California
147
Expensive
$610,000
Median Home
$2,250/mo
Median Rent
$97,500
Median Income

Modesto

California
112
Above Average
$380,000
Median Home
$1,400/mo
Median Rent
$55,138
Median Income

The Verdict

31.3%

Living in Modesto costs 31.3% less than Antioch. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Antioch, you would need $57,143 in Modesto.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
193
Antioch
121
Modesto
Groceries
107
Antioch
100
Modesto
Utilities
156
Antioch
108
Modesto
Transportation
140
Antioch
111
Modesto
Healthcare
122
Antioch
100
Modesto

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Antioch has the same purchasing power as $57,143 in Modesto.

Conversely, $75,000 in Modesto equals $98,438 in Antioch.

Living in Antioch vs Modesto

Housing Costs

Antioch's housing index of 193 is higher Modesto's 121, translating to median home prices of $610,000 vs $380,000. The $230,000 difference in home prices means roughly $14,952 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,250/mo in Antioch compared to $1,400/mo in Modesto, a monthly difference of $850.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 107 in Antioch and 100 in Modesto. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $508/month in Antioch vs $475/month in Modesto. Modesto offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $396/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 156 in Antioch and 108 in Modesto. Monthly utility bills average approximately $624 in Antioch vs $432 in Modesto. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 122 in Antioch and 100 in Modesto. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 22-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $97,500 in Antioch and $55,138 in Modesto. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $66,327 and $49,230 respectively. Antioch residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,275/month to housing in Antioch vs $1,287/month in Modesto. In Antioch, median rent of $2,250/mo fits within this budget. In Modesto, median rent of $1,400/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 72 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Modesto is 31.3% more affordable overall with an index of 112 vs 147.
A $75,000 salary in Antioch has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $57,143 in Modesto, based on the cost of living difference.
Antioch's housing index is 193 with median homes at $610,000, while Modesto's is 121 with median homes at $380,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases