Modesto vs Visalia
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Modesto
Visalia
The Verdict
Living in Visalia costs 5.7% less than Modesto. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Modesto, you would need $70,982 in Visalia.
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 $70,982 in Visalia.
Conversely, $75,000 in Visalia equals $79,245 in Modesto.
Living in Modesto vs Visalia
Housing Costs
Modesto's housing index of 121 is higher Visalia's 120, translating to median home prices of $380,000 vs $419,000. The $39,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,532 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Modesto compared to $1,375/mo in Visalia, a monthly difference of $25.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 100 in Modesto and 104 in Visalia. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Modesto vs $494/month in Visalia. 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 115 in Visalia. Monthly utility bills average approximately $432 in Modesto vs $460 in Visalia. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 100 in Modesto and 100 in Visalia. 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 $80,000 in Visalia. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $49,230 and $75,472 respectively. Visalia 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 $1,867/month in Visalia. In Modesto, median rent of $1,400/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Visalia, median rent of $1,375/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 7 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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