Bellevue vs Modesto
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Bellevue
Modesto
The Verdict
Modesto is 41.1% less expensive than Bellevue overall. A household earning $75,000 in Bellevue would need approximately $53,165 in Modesto to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Bellevue has the same purchasing power as $53,165 in Modesto.
Conversely, $75,000 in Modesto equals $105,804 in Bellevue.
Living in Bellevue vs Modesto
Housing Costs
Bellevue's housing index of 249 is higher Modesto's 121, translating to median home prices of $1.3M vs $380,000. The $921,000 difference in home prices means roughly $59,868 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,525/mo in Bellevue compared to $1,400/mo in Modesto, a monthly difference of $1,125.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 111 in Bellevue and 100 in Modesto. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $527/month in Bellevue vs $475/month in Modesto. Modesto offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $624/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 100 in Bellevue and 108 in Modesto. Monthly utility bills average approximately $400 in Bellevue vs $432 in Modesto. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 120 in Bellevue and 100 in Modesto. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 20-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $169,200 in Bellevue and $55,138 in Modesto. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $107,089 and $49,230 respectively. Bellevue residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $3,948/month to housing in Bellevue vs $1,287/month in Modesto. In Bellevue, median rent of $2,525/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 128 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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