Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Modesto to Los Angeles
The 2024 ACS 5-year estimates reveal a housing-income-commute-tax trade-off between Modesto and Los Angeles. Modesto has lower median gross rent and home values, but also lower median household income. Los Angeles has higher median household income, but significantly higher housing costs. Commute times are relatively similar, with Modesto at 31 minutes and Los Angeles at 33 minutes. The state individual income-tax reference is 9.30% for Los Angeles, but not specified for Modesto. This trade-off requires careful consideration of individual priorities and financial situations.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Los Angeles → ModestoMoving from Modesto to Los Angeles
Median Rent Impact
+$243/mo
Moving to Los Angeles costs ~$2,916 more/yr in rent.
State Tax Treatment
+9.3%
~$9,300 more state tax on a $100k salary in California.
Daily Commute Difference
+2 min / day
Difference of ~17 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 → LAX
47/ 100
The offer needs work
The destination absorbs more of the offer.Estimated annual life delta−$948after essentials; unverified state tax excluded
Best gainA large labor market with a household-income benchmark above New York's
Watch closelyA $921,200 ownership benchmark and a conservative marginal California tax reference
The short answer
In the uniform one-person renting baseline, Modesto is about $2,916 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
Los Angeles household income$81,939
Modesto gross rent$1,690
Los Angeles gross rent$1,933
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Modesto | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 219,215 | 3,857,263 |
| Median household income | $79,891 | $81,939 |
| Median gross rent | $1,690 | $1,933 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $442,700 | $921,200 |
| State-tax treatment | Excluded | 9.3% simplified |
Time and daily routine
The commute-time distribution produces a weighted one-way estimate of about 31 minutes in Modesto and 33 minutes in Los Angeles. 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
- Housing Costs
- Median Income
- Commute Time
- Tax Rates
What each city wins
Modesto
A median owner-occupied home value of $442,700.. Watch a 31-minute derived one-way commute..
Los Angeles
A large labor market with a household-income benchmark above New York's. Watch a $921,200 ownership benchmark and a conservative marginal california tax reference.
Frequently asked questions
Which city has higher housing costs?
Los Angeles has significantly higher median gross rent and home values.
How do commute times compare?
Commute times are relatively similar, with Modesto at 31 minutes and Los Angeles at 33 minutes.
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.