CICostIndexUSA

Greensboro, NC vs Modesto, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableNC
Greensboro
92.9
overall index
$1,400/mo rent
CA
Modesto
104.1
overall index
$2,050/mo rent

Greensboro is moderately cheaper than Modesto — 12.1% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Greensboro, you would need $89,600 in Modesto. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+45.6%
Greensboro
74.5
Modesto
108.5
🛒 Groceries+8.9%
Greensboro
96.6
Modesto
105.2
🚗 Transportation+2.1%
Greensboro
103.1
Modesto
105.3
🏥 Healthcare+2.1%
Greensboro
93.3
Modesto
95.3
Utilities+70.9%
Greensboro
89.1
Modesto
152.3

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Modesto, CA
$89,600
$9,600 more needed in Modesto

Formula: salary × (104.1 ÷ 92.9) = salary × 1.1206. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Greensboro, NC

Median Home Price
$267,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,400
Housing Index
74.5
Price-to-Rent Ratio
15.9×

Modesto, CA

Median Home Price
$470,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,050
Housing Index
108.5
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.1×

Modesto has 45.6% higher housing costs compared to Greensboro.

Income & Job Market

Greensboro, NC

Median Household Income
$66,100
Per Capita Income
$37,700
Unemployment Rate
3.6%
Population
296,710
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareEducationRetailGovernment

Modesto, CA

Median Household Income
$78,700
Per Capita Income
$44,900
Unemployment Rate
8.3%
Population
218,464
Top Industries
AgricultureHealthcareManufacturingRetailEducation

Affordability at a Glance

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

Greensboro, NC
3.9×income-to-rent ratio

75% of income left after rent (median)

Modesto, CA
3.2×income-to-rent ratio

69% 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.