Carmichael, CA vs Modesto, CA

Modesto is moderately more affordable than Carmichael, with a 9.4% lower cost of living index. Carmichael scores 131 compared to 120 for Modesto, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Carmichael can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Carmichael is $1,595/month compared to $1,609/month in Modesto — a 1% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Carmichael has cheaper rent, Modesto actually has lower median home values ($415,600 vs $541,500).

Median household income in Carmichael is $84,376 compared to $77,899 in Modesto (+8.3%). The higher salaries in Carmichael partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Carmichael spend roughly 22.7% of their income on rent, less than the 24.8% in Modesto.