CostIndexUSA

Modesto, CA vs Sarasota, FL Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Modesto
104.1
overall index
$2,100/mo rent
More AffordableFL
Sarasota
102.4
overall index
$1,925/mo rent

Sarasota is slightly cheaper than Modesto — 1.6% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Modesto, you would need $78,700 in Sarasota. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+18.0%
Modesto
108.5
Sarasota
128
🛒 Groceries8.6%
Modesto
105.2
Sarasota
96.2
🚗 Transportation1.4%
Modesto
105.3
Sarasota
103.8
🏥 Healthcare1.5%
Modesto
95.3
Sarasota
93.9
Utilities42.1%
Modesto
152.3
Sarasota
88.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Sarasota, FL
$78,700
$1,300 less needed in Sarasota

Formula: salary × (102.4 ÷ 104.1) = salary × 0.9837. 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×

Sarasota, FL

Median Home Price
$445,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,925
Housing Index
128
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.3×

Sarasota has 18.0% higher housing costs compared to Modesto.

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

Sarasota, FL

Median Household Income
$78,900
Per Capita Income
$45,000
Unemployment Rate
3.9%
Population
57,738
Top Industries
TourismHealthcareReal EstateFinanceArts

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)

Sarasota, 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.