East Los Angeles, CA vs Modesto, CA

Modesto is moderately more affordable than East Los Angeles, with a 11.9% lower cost of living index. East Los Angeles scores 134 compared to 120 for Modesto, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of East Los Angeles can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in East Los Angeles is $1,431/month compared to $1,609/month in Modesto — a 11% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while East Los Angeles has cheaper rent, Modesto actually has lower median home values ($415,600 vs $613,600).

Median household income in East Los Angeles is $68,378 compared to $77,899 in Modesto (-12.2%). Modesto offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of East Los Angeles spend roughly 25.1% of their income on rent, more than the 24.8% in Modesto.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (65.8°F vs 63.1°F). East Los Angeles receives more rainfall at 14.3" per year compared to 12.3" in Modesto.