Daly City, CA vs Modesto, CA

The cost of living difference between Daly City, CA and Modesto, CA is dramatic. Modesto is 73.2% cheaper than Daly City, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Daly City has a cost index of 207 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 Daly City is $2,523/month compared to $1,609/month in Modesto — a 57% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Modesto is more affordable at $415,600 median vs $1,092,700.

Median household income in Daly City is $119,570 compared to $77,899 in Modesto (+53.5%). The higher salaries in Daly City partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Daly City spend roughly 25.3% of their income on rent, more than the 24.8% in Modesto.