Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Modesto to Phoenix
Based on 2024 ACS 5-year data, Phoenix has a slightly higher median household income ($81,332 vs $79,891) and lower median gross rent ($1,582 vs $1,690) than Modesto, while Modesto has a higher median home value ($442,700 vs $420,700). Phoenix also reports a shorter derived one-way commute (28 vs 31 minutes). The calculator applies a uniform non-housing baseline of $1,250/month and a simplified state income tax reference of 2.50% for Phoenix, while Modesto’s state tax is excluded per profile constraints. These factors create a trade-off where Phoenix offers better rent-to-income ratio and commute time, but Modesto shows higher home values, with tax treatment differing by city due to data availability.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Phoenix → ModestoMoving from Modesto to Phoenix
Median Rent Impact
-$108/mo
Moving to Phoenix saves ~$1,296/yr in rent.
State Tax Treatment
+2.5%
~$2,500 more state tax on a $100k salary in Arizona.
Daily Commute Difference
-3 min / day
Difference of ~25 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 → PHX
64/ 100
A close, nuanced move
Your modeled annual room improves.Estimated annual life delta+$10,880after essentials; unverified state tax excluded
Best gainA balanced income-to-rent profile with a low flat state-tax reference
Watch closelyThe $420,700 home-value benchmark is materially above Dallas despite similar commute time
The short answer
In the uniform one-person renting baseline, Phoenix is about $1,296 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
Phoenix household income$81,332
Modesto gross rent$1,690
Phoenix gross rent$1,582
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Modesto | Phoenix |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 219,215 | 1,642,323 |
| Median household income | $79,891 | $81,332 |
| Median gross rent | $1,690 | $1,582 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $442,700 | $420,700 |
| State-tax treatment | Excluded | 2.5% simplified |
Time and daily routine
The commute-time distribution produces a weighted one-way estimate of about 31 minutes in Modesto and 28 minutes in Phoenix. 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
- Median gross rent
- Median owner-occupied home value
- Derived one-way commute time
- State individual income tax treatment
- Uniform non-housing cost baseline
What each city wins
Modesto
A median owner-occupied home value of $442,700.. Watch a 31-minute derived one-way commute..
Phoenix
A balanced income-to-rent profile with a low flat state-tax reference. Watch the $420,700 home-value benchmark is materially above dallas despite similar commute time.
Frequently asked questions
Which city has a more favorable rent burden relative to income?
Phoenix has a more favorable rent burden, with median gross rent at $1,582 (58.1% of median monthly income) compared to Modesto’s $1,690 (61.8%), based on 2024 ACS 5-year estimates.
How do home values and commute times compare between the two cities?
Modesto has a higher median owner-occupied home value at $442,700 versus Phoenix’s $420,700, but Phoenix has a shorter derived one-way commute of 28 minutes compared to Modesto’s 31 minutes, per 2024 ACS data.
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.