Modesto ranks top 25 on this national list, and there’s money involved. Where it lands
Modesto is one of the top 25 most expensive places to live in the United States, according to U.S. News & World Report.
The 2023-24 report collected data based on the median gross rent and annual housing costs for mortgage-paying homeowners in 150 metro areas in the country.
Here’s where Modesto lands on the list, and how the average housing costs compare to the rest of the nation:
How expensive is it to live in Modesto?
The Modesto metro area is the 19th most expensive place to live in the United States, according to the report. The city scored a 5.8 out of 10 for quality of life.
The city beat Fresno, Portland, New Haven (Connecticut), Boulder (Colorado), Trenton (New Jersey) and Eugene (Oregon) in the top 25 list.
Modesto offers a lower value than similarly sized metro areas when you compare housing costs to median household income, according to the report, scoring a 5.1 out of 10.
The average purchase price of a Modesto house is $463,918, compared to the national average of $383,883. The median monthly rent is $1,251.
What does the average starter home cost in Modesto? How it compares to California costs
The average annual salary of Modesto residents is $53,906, according to the report.
Modesto also ranked the No. 145 best place to live in the country, and the No. 140 place to retire.
Other California cities that made the top 25, and their 2022 median home price:
#1- San Diego | $919,507
#2- Los Angeles | $836,831
#5- Santa Barbara | $464,964 (2016)
#6- San Francisco | $1,122,946
#7- Salinas | $925,458
#8- Santa Rosa | $889,590
#10- Vallejo and Fairfield | $606,442
#14- San Jose | $1,524,907
#15- Sacramento | $619,981
#17- Stockton | $589,200
What do you want to know about life in Modesto? Ask our service journalism team your top-of-mind questions in the module below or email servicejournalists@modbee.com.
