Modesto vs Boston: Cost of Living Comparison
How does the cost of living in Modesto, California compare to Boston, Massachusetts? Below is a side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, income, wages, and taxes using official government data.
Summary: Modesto is the more affordable city overall. Housing costs are 44% lower in Modesto compared to Boston, while rent is 24% lower. State income tax is 13.3% in CA vs 9% in MA.
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Median Home Value | $381,800 | $684,900 | -44.3% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,497 | $1,981 | -24.4% |
| Income | |||
| Median Household Income | $73,375 | $89,212 | -17.8% |
| Per Capita Income | $32,897 | $55,949 | -41.2% |
| Taxes | |||
| State Income Tax Rate | 13.3% | 9.0% | +47.8% |
| Combined Sales Tax | 8.7% | 6.3% | +38.9% |
| Demographics | |||
| Population | 218,308 | 665,945 | -67.2% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates (2022), Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey. State/local tax rates from Tax Foundation (2024).
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Modesto
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Boston
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Key Takeaways
- Housing: The median home in Modesto costs $381,800 compared to $684,900 in Boston — a 44% discount.
- Rent: Median rent is $1,497/mo in Modesto vs $1,981/mo in Boston.
- Income: Median household income is $73,375 in Modesto and $89,212 in Boston.
- Taxes: State income tax is 13.3% in California vs 9% in Massachusetts.
Methodology
This comparison uses data from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2022) for median household income, median home value, median gross rent, per capita income, and population. State and local tax rates are sourced from the Tax Foundation. Mortgage rates are from the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (updated weekly).