Modesto vs Huntsville: Cost of Living Comparison
How does the cost of living in Modesto, California compare to Huntsville, Alabama? Below is a side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, income, wages, and taxes using official government data.
Summary: Huntsville is the more affordable city overall. Housing costs are 62% higher in Modesto compared to Huntsville, while rent is 47% higher. State income tax is 13.3% in CA vs 5% in AL.
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Huntsville, AL | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Median Home Value | $381,800 | $236,300 | +61.6% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,497 | $1,020 | +46.8% |
| Income | |||
| Median Household Income | $73,375 | $67,874 | +8.1% |
| Per Capita Income | $32,897 | $43,202 | -23.9% |
| Taxes | |||
| State Income Tax Rate | 13.3% | 5.0% | +166.0% |
| Combined Sales Tax | 8.7% | 9.2% | -5.9% |
| Demographics | |||
| Population | 218,308 | 215,025 | +1.5% |
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 — Huntsville
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 $236,300 in Huntsville — a 62% premium.
- Rent: Median rent is $1,497/mo in Modesto vs $1,020/mo in Huntsville.
- Income: Median household income is $73,375 in Modesto and $67,874 in Huntsville.
- Taxes: State income tax is 13.3% in California vs 5% in Alabama.
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).