Modesto vs Tacoma: Cost of Living (2026)
A side-by-side comparison of Modesto, CA and Tacoma, WA, using US Census Bureau data.
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Tacoma, WA |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,308 | 219,234 |
| Median household income | $73,375 | $79,085 |
| Median home value | $381,800 | $415,300 |
| Median rent (/mo) | $1,497 | $1,489 |
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Highlighted cell = more affordable / higher income.
Ad slot:
compare-top (set NEXT_PUBLIC_ADSENSE_CLIENT to serve real ads)Comparing Modesto, CA and Tacoma, WA comes down to what you value most. Modesto has the lower median home value, and Tacoma has the lower median rent.
Tacoma 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 Tacoma?
- By median home value, Modesto is the cheaper of the two ($381,800 vs $415,300). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
- Which has higher salaries, Modesto or Tacoma?
- Median household income is $73,375 in Modesto versus $79,085 in Tacoma, per the US Census Bureau.