Chesapeake vs Modesto

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Chesapeake has the same purchasing power as $80,769 in Modesto.

Conversely, $75,000 in Modesto equals $69,643 in Chesapeake.

Living in Chesapeake vs Modesto

Housing Costs

Chesapeake's housing index of 120 is lower Modesto's 121, translating to median home prices of $385,000 vs $380,000. The $5,000 difference in home prices means roughly $324 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,550/mo in Chesapeake compared to $1,400/mo in Modesto, a monthly difference of $150.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 102 in Chesapeake and 100 in Modesto. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $485/month in Chesapeake vs $475/month in Modesto. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 105 in Chesapeake and 108 in Modesto. Monthly utility bills average approximately $420 in Chesapeake vs $432 in Modesto. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 97 in Chesapeake and 100 in Modesto. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $94,200 in Chesapeake and $55,138 in Modesto. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $90,577 and $49,230 respectively. Chesapeake residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,198/month to housing in Chesapeake vs $1,287/month in Modesto. In Chesapeake, median rent of $1,550/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 Transportation, where the gap is 11 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases