CostIndexUSA

Atlantic City, NJ vs Modesto, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableNJ
Atlantic City
98.9
overall index
$2,225/mo rent
CA
Modesto
104.1
overall index
$2,100/mo rent

Atlantic City is moderately cheaper than Modesto — 5.3% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Atlantic City, you would need $84,200 in Modesto. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+9.9%
Atlantic City
98.7
Modesto
108.5
🛒 Groceries+5.4%
Atlantic City
99.8
Modesto
105.2
🚗 Transportation+2.4%
Atlantic City
102.8
Modesto
105.3
🏥 Healthcare+2.5%
Atlantic City
93
Modesto
95.3
Utilities+39.5%
Atlantic City
109.2
Modesto
152.3

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Atlantic City to see what you'd need to earn in Modesto to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Modesto, CA
$84,200
$4,200 more needed in Modesto

Formula: salary × (104.1 ÷ 98.9) = salary × 1.0526. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Atlantic City, NJ

Median Home Price
$369,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,225
Housing Index
98.7
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.8×

Modesto, CA

Median Home Price
$457,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,100
Housing Index
108.5
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.1×

Modesto has 9.9% higher housing costs compared to Atlantic City.

Income & Job Market

Atlantic City, NJ

Median Household Income
$80,100
Per Capita Income
$45,700
Unemployment Rate
6%
Population
38,497
Top Industries
GamingTourismHealthcareHospitalityRetail

Modesto, CA

Median Household Income
$82,800
Per Capita Income
$47,200
Unemployment Rate
6.6%
Population
218,464
Top Industries
AgricultureHealthcareManufacturingRetailEducation

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Atlantic City, NJ
3.0×income-to-rent ratio

67% of income left after rent (median)

Modesto, CA
3.3×income-to-rent ratio

70% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.