Cost of Living in West Modesto, CA

With a cost of living index of 101, West Modesto, CA is right around the national average in cost. Living here is 1% more expensive than the national average and 43% below the California state average of 144. West Modesto is a smaller community of 5,633 residents, where everyday costs can differ substantially from nearby larger cities.

Housing costs are the biggest factor in West Modesto's cost of living. The median monthly rent is $1,344 (2% above the US median of $1,319), and the median home value sits at $285,700 (6% below the national median of $304,900). At current prices, the median home costs roughly 4.6x the median household income — a stretch for many buyers, though not uncommon in today's market.

The median household income in West Modesto is $61,833, which is 18% lower than the national median of $75,149. Residents spend roughly 26% of household income on rent. This is near the 30% threshold that financial experts generally consider the upper limit of affordability.

Everyday prices in the Modesto, CA (Metropolitan Statistical Area) metro area tend to run above the national average. Out of 6 common grocery and utility items tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 6 are priced higher than the US average. These real-world prices — from groceries to electricity — add up and should be factored into any cost of living comparison.

Data sources: US Census Bureau (ACS 2023), Zillow Home Values, HUD Fair Market Rents, BEA Regional Price Parities, BLS Average Prices, and NOAA Climate Normals. Updated monthly.