Modesto vs San Bernardino: Cost of Living (2026)
A side-by-side comparison of Modesto, CA and San Bernardino, CA, using US Census Bureau data.
| Metric | Modesto, CA | San Bernardino, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,308 | 221,041 |
| Median household income | $73,375 | $61,323 |
| Median home value | $381,800 | $347,100 |
| Median rent (/mo) | $1,497 | $1,319 |
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Highlighted cell = more affordable / higher income.
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compare-top (set NEXT_PUBLIC_ADSENSE_CLIENT to serve real ads)Comparing Modesto, CA and San Bernardino, CA comes down to what you value most. San Bernardino has the lower median home value, and San Bernardino has the lower median rent.
Modesto has the higher median household income, which affects how far a paycheck stretches against local housing costs. The table below breaks down the key numbers side by side, all sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Frequently asked questions
- Is it cheaper to live in Modesto or San Bernardino?
- By median home value, San Bernardino is the cheaper of the two ($347,100 vs $381,800). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
- Which has higher salaries, Modesto or San Bernardino?
- Median household income is $73,375 in Modesto versus $61,323 in San Bernardino, per the US Census Bureau.