Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Modesto to Houston
Comparing Modesto, California and Houston, Texas using the 2024 ACS 5-year estimates highlights distinct housing, income, and commute trade-offs. Modesto features a higher median household income of $79,891 alongside a steeper median gross rent of $1,690 per month and a median home value of $442,700. In contrast, Houston offers a larger population and a lower median household income of $64,813, paired with more affordable housing metrics showing a median gross rent of $1,361 and a median owner-occupied home value of $277,800. Commute times are closely aligned, with Modesto at an estimated 31 minutes and Houston at 30 minutes. Additionally, Houston includes a simplified state individual income-tax reference of 0.00%, whereas Modesto's state individual income tax is excluded. Neither dataset evaluates safety, schools, weather, insurance, or job quality.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Houston → ModestoMoving from Modesto to Houston
Median Rent Impact
-$329/mo
Moving to Houston saves ~$3,948/yr in rent.
State Tax Treatment
0.0% difference
Neither state imposes an individual state income tax.
Daily Commute Difference
-1 min / day
Difference of ~8 hours per year spent commuting based on 2024 ACS midpoint averages.
Your move
Compare the life behind the offer.
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Search all 32,330 U.S. Census places directly below.Instant results use official 2024 ACS place data. Places with incomplete required signals remain visible in search but cannot be selected.
Directional estimate using ACS citywide benchmarks. Verified profiles may include a simplified state-tax reference; automatically added profiles exclude state tax until an official reference is approved. Exact tax, benefits, debt, housing, insurance, and personal circumstances may materially change the result.
LIVE VERDICTMOD → HOU
68/ 100
Worth serious consideration
Your modeled annual room improves.Estimated annual life delta+$16,332after essentials; unverified state tax excluded
Best gainMedian owner-occupied home value of $277,800.
Watch closelyA citywide median income of $64,813 paired with a 30-minute derived commute.
The short answer
In the uniform one-person renting baseline, Houston is about $3,948 lower per year. This is not a verdict by itself: replace city medians with the actual offer, address, household, benefits, insurance, and tax details before deciding.
Modesto household income$79,891
Houston household income$64,813
Modesto gross rent$1,690
Houston gross rent$1,361
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Modesto | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 219,215 | 2,328,253 |
| Median household income | $79,891 | $64,813 |
| Median gross rent | $1,690 | $1,361 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $442,700 | $277,800 |
| State-tax treatment | Excluded | 0% simplified |
Time and daily routine
The commute-time distribution produces a weighted one-way estimate of about 31 minutes in Modesto and 30 minutes in Houston. This citywide estimate cannot capture a specific route, remote-work schedule, or transit choice, so the calculator converts it into an explicit time difference instead of hiding it in a subjective lifestyle score.
Decision checklist
- Median household income differences
- Gross rent and home values
- Derived one-way commute duration
- State tax reference variations
What each city wins
Modesto
A median owner-occupied home value of $442,700.. Watch a 31-minute derived one-way commute..
Houston
Median owner-occupied home value of $277,800.. Watch a citywide median income of $64,813 paired with a 30-minute derived commute..
Frequently asked questions
How do Modesto and Houston compare in population size according to the 2024 ACS estimates?
Modesto has an estimated population of 219,215, while Houston is significantly larger with an estimated 2,328,253 residents.
What are the housing cost differences between Modesto and Houston?
Modesto records a median gross rent of $1,690 and a median home value of $442,700, whereas Houston features a lower median gross rent of $1,361 and a median home value of $277,800.
Source boundary: Core figures come from the 2024 ACS five-year tables linked on each city profile. Commute is derived from B08303 midpoint weighting. A state-tax value without an approved official reference is excluded and disclosed. This comparison becomes index-eligible only after its unique analysis clears the content quality gate.