Moving from San Francisco, CA to Modesto, CA
About 3,252 people made this move in a typical year (Census Bureau metro-to-metro migration flows, ACS 5-year 2016-2020). Here is what the move does to two households’ budgets after 2026 taxes — and the salary each needs in Modesto, CA.
Single, $70k: line by line
Single adult earning $70,000, renting. Same gross pay in both places; renting at HUD Fair Market Rent (1 bedroom). Taxes take 21.6% of income in San Francisco, CA and 21.6% in Modesto, CA.
San Francisco, CA Modesto, CA (monthly)
| Monthly | San Francisco, CA | Modesto, CA | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross income | $5,833 | $5,833 | $0 |
| Taxes | $1,258 | $1,258 | $0 |
| Federal income tax2026 tax law | $548 | $548 | $0 |
| Social Security + Medicare2026 tax law | $446 | $446 | $0 |
| State income tax2026 tax law | $189 | $189 | $0 |
| State Disability Insurance (SDI)2026 tax law | $76 | $76 | $0 |
| Take-home pay | $4,575 | $4,575 | $0 |
| Housing | $3,003 | $1,378 | −$1,625 |
| Rent, 1-bedroomHUD FMR FY2027 · 40th-percentile gross rent, includes tenant-paid utilities | $3,003 | $1,378 | −$1,625 |
| Food | $478 | $463 | −$15 |
| Food at home (USDA Moderate-Cost plan)USDA food plans August 2026 · US cost × RPP goods 105.2 | $478 | $463 | −$15 |
| Transportation | $249 | $249 | $0 |
| GasolineEIA electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05 · 12,000 mi ÷ 25 mpg × $6.23/gal (CA weekly average) | $249 | $249 | $0 |
| Sales tax | $39 | $38 | −$1 |
| State sales taxState revenue dept. 2026-10-13 · 7.25% on other goods; groceries exempt — local add-ons not modeled | $39 | $38 | −$1 |
| Other goods & services | $1,073 | $1,027 | −$46 |
| Other goods (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP goods 105.2 | $542 | $526 | −$16 |
| Other services (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP other services 100.3 | $531 | $501 | −$30 |
| Left over after modeled costs | −$268 | $1,419 | +$1,687 |
Family of four, $120k: line by line
Two adults, a preschooler and a school-age child, $120,000 combined, renting. Same gross pay in both places; renting at HUD Fair Market Rent (2 bedrooms), center-based childcare in current dollars. Taxes take 15.5% of income in San Francisco, CA and 15.5% in Modesto, CA.
San Francisco, CA Modesto, CA (monthly)
| Monthly | San Francisco, CA | Modesto, CA | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross income | $10,000 | $10,000 | $0 |
| Taxes | $1,545 | $1,545 | $0 |
| Federal income tax2026 tax law · after $4,400 Child Tax Credit | $470 | $470 | $0 |
| Social Security + Medicare2026 tax law | $765 | $765 | $0 |
| State income tax2026 tax law | $180 | $180 | $0 |
| State Disability Insurance (SDI)2026 tax law | $130 | $130 | $0 |
| Take-home pay | $8,455 | $8,455 | $0 |
| Housing | $3,697 | $1,803 | −$1,894 |
| Rent, 2-bedroomHUD FMR FY2027 · 40th-percentile gross rent, includes tenant-paid utilities | $3,697 | $1,803 | −$1,894 |
| Childcare | $4,845 | $1,350 | −$3,495 |
| Childcare, center-basedDOL NDCP 2022 · preschool $171/wk, school-age $84/wk (2022 prices, Stanislaus County, CA); × 1.2224 BLS CPI day care, 2022 to 2026-08 | $4,845 | $1,350 | −$3,495 |
| Food | $1,391 | $1,349 | −$42 |
| Food at home (USDA Moderate-Cost plan)USDA food plans August 2026 · US cost × RPP goods 105.2 | $1,391 | $1,349 | −$42 |
| Transportation | $498 | $498 | $0 |
| GasolineEIA electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05 · 24,000 mi ÷ 25 mpg × $6.23/gal (CA weekly average) | $498 | $498 | $0 |
| Sales tax | $39 | $38 | −$1 |
| State sales taxState revenue dept. 2026-10-13 · 7.25% on other goods; groceries exempt — local add-ons not modeled | $39 | $38 | −$1 |
| Other goods & services | $1,073 | $1,027 | −$46 |
| Other goods (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP goods 105.2 | $542 | $526 | −$16 |
| Other services (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP other services 100.3 | $531 | $501 | −$30 |
| Left over after modeled costs | −$3,089 | $2,390 | +$5,479 |
San Francisco, CA vs Modesto, CA at a glance
| Measure | San Francisco, CA | Modesto, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Price level (BEA RPP, US = 100) | 115.6 | 104.1 |
| Housing price level | 194.7 | 108.5 |
| 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent | $3,003 | $1,378 |
| 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent | $3,697 | $1,803 |
| 3-bedroom Fair Market Rent | $4,832 | $2,410 |
| Median home value | $1,140,700 | $450,100 |
| Effective property-tax rate | 0.75% | 0.71% |
| Median household income | $136,027 | $81,468 |
| Center infant care / week (DOL NDCP 2022 unless noted) | $607 | $316 |
| State income tax on wages | Yes | Yes |
| Mandatory local income tax (principal city) | None in our data | None in our data |
| State sales tax | 7.25% | 7.25% |
| Regular gasoline | $6.23 | $6.23 |
| Average electric bill (state) | $155 | $155 |
Sources: BEA RPP 2024; HUD FMR FY2027; Census ACS 2020-2024; DOL NDCP 2022; 2026 tax law; state revenue departments; EIA (electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05).
Frequently asked questions
How much do I need to make in Modesto, CA to keep my San Francisco, CA lifestyle?+
For a single renter earning $70,000 in San Francisco, CA, about $41,873 in Modesto, CA (−40.2%). For two adults with a preschooler and a school-age child on $120,000, about $39,218. Both keep the same money left over after 2026 taxes, rent, childcare, food, fuel and other modeled costs.
Is Modesto, CA cheaper than San Francisco, CA?+
On BEA’s 2024 price index, Modesto, CA is at 104.1 and San Francisco, CA at 115.6 (US = 100). After taxes and household costs, a single renter on $70,000 would have +$1,687 a month in Modesto, CA.
How many people move from San Francisco, CA to Modesto, CA?+
About 3,252 people a year (±780), according to the Census Bureau’s metro-to-metro migration flows (ACS 5-year 2016-2020).
What isn’t included?+
Moving costs, health insurance, car payments and insurance, local sales tax add-ons and differences in wages between the two metros. Add known monthly costs in the calculator’s “Fixed costs / month” field.