Costa Mesa, CA vs Modesto, CA

The cost of living difference between Costa Mesa, CA and Modesto, CA is dramatic. Modesto is 66.5% cheaper than Costa Mesa, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Costa Mesa has a cost index of 199 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 Costa Mesa is $2,395/month compared to $1,609/month in Modesto — a 49% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Modesto is more affordable at $415,600 median vs $1,054,700.

Median household income in Costa Mesa is $110,073 compared to $77,899 in Modesto (+41.3%). The higher salaries in Costa Mesa partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Costa Mesa spend roughly 26.1% of their income on rent, more than the 24.8% in Modesto.