Modesto vs North Las Vegas
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Modesto
North Las Vegas
The Verdict
North Las Vegas is 0.9% less expensive than Modesto overall. A household earning $75,000 in Modesto would need approximately $74,330 in North Las Vegas 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 Modesto has the same purchasing power as $74,330 in North Las Vegas.
Conversely, $75,000 in North Las Vegas equals $75,676 in Modesto.
Living in Modesto vs North Las Vegas
Housing Costs
Modesto's housing index of 121 is higher North Las Vegas's 120, translating to median home prices of $380,000 vs $405,000. The $25,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,620 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Modesto compared to $1,600/mo in North Las Vegas, a monthly difference of $200.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 100 in Modesto and 104 in North Las Vegas. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Modesto vs $494/month in North Las Vegas. 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 108 in Modesto and 109 in North Las Vegas. Monthly utility bills average approximately $432 in Modesto vs $436 in North Las Vegas. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 100 in Modesto and 85 in North Las Vegas. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 15-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $55,138 in Modesto and $78,500 in North Las Vegas. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $49,230 and $70,721 respectively. North Las Vegas residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,287/month to housing in Modesto vs $1,832/month in North Las Vegas. In Modesto, median rent of $1,400/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In North Las Vegas, median rent of $1,600/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 15 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases