Cost of Living: San Jose, CA vs Modesto, CA (2026)

San Jose

California
254
VS

Modesto

California
120

San Jose is 112% more expensive than Modesto.

$2,617/mo ↑ 63%
Median Rent
$1,609/mo ↓ 39%
$141,565/yr ↑ 82%
Median Income
$77,899/yr ↓ 45%
$1,187,800 ↑ 186%
Home Value
$415,600 ↓ 65%
$2,775/mo ↑ 72%
Owner Costs
$1,613/mo ↓ 42%
990,054
Population
218,614

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
13.3%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
7.25%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.71%

Affordability

22.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Jose, CA and Modesto, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 254 and 120 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,008/month cheaper in Modesto, saving renters about $12,096/year.

Median household income is $63,666/year higher in San Jose. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Jose is $1,187,800 compared to $415,600 in Modesto.

Both cities share the same state tax structure since they are in California.

Frequently Asked Questions

San Jose vs Modesto — common questions

Is San Jose or Modesto cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Modesto is cheaper to live in with an index of 120 compared to 254 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Jose and Modesto?
Median rent in San Jose is $2,617/month and in Modesto it's $1,609/month — a difference of $1,008/month.
Which city has higher income, San Jose or Modesto?
Median household income is $141,565 in San Jose and $77,899 in Modesto. Median household income is $63,666/year higher in San Jose.
How do taxes compare between California and California?
Both cities are in California and share the same state tax rates: 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to San Jose or Modesto?
It depends on your priorities. San Jose has a cost index of 254 with median rent of $2,617/mo, while Modesto has a cost index of 120 with rent of $1,609/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View San Jose details → View Modesto details →

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