Modesto vs Twin Falls
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Modesto
Twin Falls
The Verdict
Twin Falls is 21.7% less expensive than Modesto overall. A household earning $75,000 in Modesto would need approximately $61,607 in Twin Falls 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 $61,607 in Twin Falls.
Conversely, $75,000 in Twin Falls equals $91,304 in Modesto.
Living in Modesto vs Twin Falls
Housing Costs
Modesto's housing index of 121 is higher Twin Falls's 93, translating to median home prices of $380,000 vs $380,000. The $0 difference in home prices means roughly $0 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Modesto compared to $1,150/mo in Twin Falls, a monthly difference of $250.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 100 in Modesto and 98 in Twin Falls. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Modesto vs $466/month in Twin Falls. 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 85 in Twin Falls. Monthly utility bills average approximately $432 in Modesto vs $340 in Twin Falls. 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 94 in Twin Falls. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $55,138 in Modesto and $60,900 in Twin Falls. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $49,230 and $66,196 respectively. Twin Falls 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 $1,421/month in Twin Falls. In Modesto, median rent of $1,400/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Twin Falls, median rent of $1,150/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 28 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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