Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
Modesto and Plano have very similar costs of living, with less than a 3% difference overall.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: California salaries · Texas salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Modesto has a housing index of 121 while Plano sits at 123 (national average = 100). The median home in Modesto costs $380,000 compared to $400,000 in Plano, a difference of $20,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,400 in Modesto versus $1,700 in Plano.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Modesto scores 100 while Plano scores 98. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Modesto (100) match Plano (100). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Modesto is $55,138 compared to $96,348 in Plano. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.
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