Concord, CA vs Modesto, CA

The cost of living difference between Concord, CA and Modesto, CA is dramatic. Modesto is 42.6% cheaper than Concord, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Concord has a cost index of 171 while Modesto sits at 120, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Concord is $2,226/month compared to $1,609/month in Modesto — a 38% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Modesto is more affordable at $415,600 median vs $755,900.

Median household income in Concord is $109,195 compared to $77,899 in Modesto (+40.2%). The higher salaries in Concord partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Concord spend roughly 24.5% of their income on rent, less than the 24.8% in Modesto.