Modesto vs Arlington

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.

💰 Salary Equivalence

To maintain the same standard of living:

See exact take-home pay: California salaries · Texas salaries

Living in Modesto vs Arlington

Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Modesto has a housing index of 121 while Arlington sits at 86 (national average = 100). The median home in Modesto costs $380,000 compared to $260,000 in Arlington, a difference of $120,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,400 in Modesto versus $1,300 in Arlington.

Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Modesto scores 100 while Arlington scores 96. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.

Healthcare costs in Modesto (100) match Arlington (100). Both are close to the national average.

Median household income in Modesto is $55,138 compared to $60,138 in Arlington. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Arlington.

Relocating: Modesto vs Arlington

If you are considering a move between Modesto (index: 112) and Arlington (index: 96), the 14% cost difference has real implications for your budget. Arlington is the more affordable option, but the right choice depends on your income, career opportunities, and lifestyle priorities.

Housing budget reality: Using the 28% rule (spending no more than 28% of gross income on housing), the median household in Modesto can afford $1,287/month, while the median household in Arlington can afford $1,403/month. With median homes at $380,000 in Modesto versus $260,000 in Arlington, homeownership requires above-median income in the pricier market.

Renting vs buying: At $1,400/month in Modesto and $1,300/month in Arlington, renters face similar costs in both cities. The rent-to-own ratio in each city determines whether renting or buying offers better value for your situation.

Income adjustment: A $75,000 salary goes further in Arlington where costs are 4% below the national average. Before accepting a job in either city, use the salary equivalence data above to understand what you would need to earn to maintain your current standard of living.

Reading These Numbers: Modesto (112) vs Arlington (96)

The cost of living index uses 100 as the national average. Modesto at 112 is 12% above the US average, while Arlington at 96 is 4% below average. There is a meaningful cost gap between these two cities that affects day-to-day budgeting.

Modesto costs meaningfully more than Arlington, with a 16-point composite gap that translates to real differences in rent, groceries, and daily expenses. The biggest category divergence is housing, where Modesto scores 121 and Arlington scores 86. That 35-point gap is the primary driver of the overall cost difference between these two metros. Housing, the largest line item for most households, favors Arlington with indices of 86 versus 121. Median home prices of $380,000 in Modesto and $260,000 in Arlington underscore this gap.

For renters: With median rents of $1,400/month in Modesto and $1,300/month in Arlington, the annual rent difference is approximately $1,200. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $6,000 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.

For homebuyers: The $120,000 difference in median home prices between Modesto and Arlington translates to roughly $7,200 per month in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.

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