CostIndexUSA

Modesto, CA vs Panama City, FL Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Modesto
104.1
overall index
$2,100/mo rent
More AffordableFL
Panama City
97.3
overall index
$1,700/mo rent

Panama City is moderately cheaper than Modesto — 6.5% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Modesto, you would need $74,800 in Panama City. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing11.2%
Modesto
108.5
Panama City
96.4
🛒 Groceries8.6%
Modesto
105.2
Panama City
96.2
🚗 Transportation1.4%
Modesto
105.3
Panama City
103.8
🏥 Healthcare1.5%
Modesto
95.3
Panama City
93.9
Utilities42.2%
Modesto
152.3
Panama City
88.1

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Panama City, FL
$74,800
$5,200 less needed in Panama City

Formula: salary × (97.3 ÷ 104.1) = salary × 0.9347. 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×

Panama City, FL

Median Home Price
$337,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,700
Housing Index
96.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.5×

Modesto has 11.2% lower housing costs compared to Panama City.

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

Panama City, FL

Median Household Income
$69,700
Per Capita Income
$39,700
Unemployment Rate
3%
Population
36,877
Top Industries
MilitaryTourismHealthcareManufacturingRetail

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)

Panama City, FL
3.4×income-to-rent ratio

71% 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.