CICostIndexUSA

Modesto, CA vs San Antonio, TX Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Modesto
104.1
overall index
$2,050/mo rent
More AffordableTX
San Antonio
94.7
overall index
$1,425/mo rent

San Antonio is moderately cheaper than Modesto — 9.0% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Modesto, you would need $72,800 in San Antonio. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing12.8%
Modesto
108.5
San Antonio
94.6
🛒 Groceries10.8%
Modesto
105.2
San Antonio
93.8
🚗 Transportation4.0%
Modesto
105.3
San Antonio
101.1
🏥 Healthcare4.1%
Modesto
95.3
San Antonio
91.4
Utilities46.0%
Modesto
152.3
San Antonio
82.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in San Antonio, TX
$72,800
$7,200 less needed in San Antonio

Formula: salary × (94.7 ÷ 104.1) = salary × 0.9097. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Modesto, CA

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

San Antonio, TX

Median Home Price
$280,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,425
Housing Index
94.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.4×

Modesto has 12.8% lower housing costs compared to San Antonio.

Income & Job Market

Modesto, CA

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

San Antonio, TX

Median Household Income
$78,100
Per Capita Income
$44,500
Unemployment Rate
5.1%
Population
1,434,625
Top Industries
MilitaryHealthcareTourismManufacturingGovernment

Affordability at a Glance

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

Modesto, CA
3.2×income-to-rent ratio

69% of income left after rent (median)

San Antonio, TX
4.6×income-to-rent ratio

78% 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.