Modesto vs Tyler
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Modesto
Tyler
The Verdict
Living in Tyler costs 31.8% less than Modesto. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Modesto, you would need $56,920 in Tyler.
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 $56,920 in Tyler.
Conversely, $75,000 in Tyler equals $98,824 in Modesto.
Living in Modesto vs Tyler
Housing Costs
Modesto's housing index of 121 is higher Tyler's 69, translating to median home prices of $380,000 vs $250,000. The $130,000 difference in home prices means roughly $8,448 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Modesto compared to $1,075/mo in Tyler, a monthly difference of $325.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 100 in Modesto and 96 in Tyler. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Modesto vs $456/month in Tyler. 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 97 in Tyler. Monthly utility bills average approximately $432 in Modesto vs $388 in Tyler. 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 93 in Tyler. 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 $54,800 in Tyler. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $49,230 and $64,471 respectively. Tyler 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 $1,279/month in Tyler. In Modesto, median rent of $1,400/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Tyler, median rent of $1,075/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 52 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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