Modesto, CA vs Newport Beach, CA

The cost of living difference between Modesto, CA and Newport Beach, CA is dramatic. Modesto is 60.1% cheaper than Newport Beach, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Modesto has a cost index of 120 while Newport Beach sits at 300, 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 Modesto is $1,609/month compared to $3,146/month in Newport Beach — a 49% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Modesto is more affordable at $415,600 median vs $2,000,001.

Median household income in Modesto is $77,899 compared to $158,461 in Newport Beach (-50.8%). The higher salaries in Newport Beach partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Modesto spend roughly 24.8% of their income on rent, more than the 23.8% in Newport Beach.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (63.1°F vs 64.9°F). Modesto receives more rainfall at 12.3" per year compared to 11.2" in Newport Beach.