City Comparison

Modesto vs Springdale

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Modesto

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

Springdale

Arkansas
87
Below Average
$299,000
Median Home
$1,000/mo
Median Rent
$62,100
Median Income

The Verdict

28.7%

Living in Springdale costs 28.7% less than Modesto. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Modesto, you would need $58,259 in Springdale.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
121
Modesto
86
Springdale
Groceries
100
Modesto
97
Springdale
Utilities
108
Modesto
93
Springdale
Transportation
111
Modesto
91
Springdale
Healthcare
100
Modesto
82
Springdale

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Modesto has the same purchasing power as $58,259 in Springdale.

Conversely, $75,000 in Springdale equals $96,552 in Modesto.

Living in Modesto vs Springdale

Housing Costs

Modesto's housing index of 121 is higher Springdale's 86, translating to median home prices of $380,000 vs $299,000. The $81,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,268 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Modesto compared to $1,000/mo in Springdale, a monthly difference of $400.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 100 in Modesto and 97 in Springdale. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Modesto vs $461/month in Springdale. 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 93 in Springdale. Monthly utility bills average approximately $432 in Modesto vs $372 in Springdale. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 100 in Modesto and 82 in Springdale. 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 $55,138 in Modesto and $62,100 in Springdale. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $49,230 and $71,379 respectively. Springdale 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 $1,449/month in Springdale. In Modesto, median rent of $1,400/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Springdale, median rent of $1,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 35 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Springdale is 28.7% more affordable overall with an index of 87 vs 112.
A $75,000 salary in Modesto has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $58,259 in Springdale, based on the cost of living difference.
Modesto's housing index is 121 with median homes at $380,000, while Springdale's is 86 with median homes at $299,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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