CostIndexUSA

Modesto, CA vs New Orleans, LA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Modesto
104.1
overall index
$2,100/mo rent
More AffordableLA
New Orleans
92.6
overall index
$1,575/mo rent

New Orleans is moderately cheaper than Modesto — 11.0% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Modesto, you would need $71,200 in New Orleans. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing−20.7%
Modesto
108.5
New Orleans
86
🛒 Groceries−10.9%
Modesto
105.2
New Orleans
93.7
🚗 Transportation−4.6%
Modesto
105.3
New Orleans
100.5
🏥 Healthcare−4.6%
Modesto
95.3
New Orleans
90.9
⚡ Utilities−53.3%
Modesto
152.3
New Orleans
71.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
→
Equivalent salary in New Orleans, LA
$71,200
$8,800 less needed in New Orleans

Formula: salary × (92.6 ÷ 104.1) = salary × 0.8895. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Modesto, CA

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

New Orleans, LA

Median Home Price
$253,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,575
Housing Index
86
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.4×

Modesto has 20.7% lower housing costs compared to New Orleans.

Income & Job Market

Modesto, CA

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

New Orleans, LA

Median Household Income
$61,000
Per Capita Income
$34,800
Unemployment Rate
5%
Population
383,997
Top Industries
TourismEnergyHealthcareShippingEntertainment

Affordability at a Glance

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

Modesto, CA
3.3×income-to-rent ratio

70% of income left after rent (median)

New Orleans, LA
3.2×income-to-rent ratio

69% of income left after rent (median)

Modesto vs other cities

Modesto, CA
vs
Anaheim, CA
Index: 104.1Index: 113.6
Modesto, CA
vs
Bakersfield, CA
Index: 104.1Index: 100.9
Modesto, CA
vs
Chico, CA
Index: 104.1Index: 101.2
Modesto, CA
vs
Tacoma, WA
Index: 104.1Index: 111.1
Modesto, CA
vs
Huntsville, AL
Index: 104.1Index: 93.1

New Orleans vs other cities

New Orleans, LA
vs
Baton Rouge, LA
Index: 92.6Index: 90.8
New Orleans, LA
vs
Lafayette, LA
Index: 92.6Index: 87.2
New Orleans, LA
vs
Lake Charles, LA
Index: 92.6Index: 85.9
New Orleans, LA
vs
Bakersfield, CA
Index: 92.6Index: 100.9
New Orleans, LA
vs
Arlington, TX
Index: 92.6Index: 103.1

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.