Modesto vs Yuma
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Modesto
Yuma
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 21.7%, with Yuma being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Modesto has equivalent purchasing power to $61,607 in Yuma.
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 Yuma.
Conversely, $75,000 in Yuma equals $91,304 in Modesto.
Living in Modesto vs Yuma
Housing Costs
Modesto's housing index of 121 is higher Yuma's 82, translating to median home prices of $380,000 vs $284,000. The $96,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,240 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Modesto compared to $1,100/mo in Yuma, a monthly difference of $300.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 100 in Modesto and 101 in Yuma. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Modesto vs $480/month in Yuma. 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 102 in Yuma. Monthly utility bills average approximately $432 in Modesto vs $408 in Yuma. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 100 in Modesto and 87 in Yuma. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 13-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 $54,100 in Yuma. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $49,230 and $58,804 respectively. Yuma 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 $1,262/month in Yuma. In Modesto, median rent of $1,400/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Yuma, median rent of $1,100/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 39 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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