City Comparison

Dublin vs Modesto

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Dublin

Ireland
104
Average
$470,000
Median Home
$2,125/mo
Median Rent
$56,000
Median Income

Modesto

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

The Verdict

7.1%

Living in Dublin costs 7.1% less than Modesto. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Dublin, you would need $80,769 in Modesto.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
128
Dublin
121
Modesto
Groceries
95
Dublin
100
Modesto
Utilities
110
Dublin
108
Modesto
Transportation
108
Dublin
111
Modesto
Healthcare
82
Dublin
100
Modesto

Salary Equivalence

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

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

Living in Dublin vs Modesto

Housing Costs

Dublin's housing index of 128 is higher Modesto's 121, translating to median home prices of $470,000 vs $380,000. The $90,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,856 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,125/mo in Dublin compared to $1,400/mo in Modesto, a monthly difference of $725.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 95 in Dublin and 100 in Modesto. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $451/month in Dublin 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 110 in Dublin and 108 in Modesto. Monthly utility bills average approximately $440 in Dublin vs $432 in Modesto. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 82 in Dublin and 100 in Modesto. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 18-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $56,000 in Dublin and $55,138 in Modesto. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $53,846 and $49,230 respectively. Dublin residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,307/month to housing in Dublin vs $1,287/month in Modesto. In Dublin, median rent of $2,125/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Modesto, median rent of $1,400/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 18 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Dublin is 7.1% more affordable overall with an index of 104 vs 112.
A $75,000 salary in Dublin has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $80,769 in Modesto, based on the cost of living difference.
Dublin's housing index is 128 with median homes at $470,000, while Modesto's is 121 with median homes at $380,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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