Kahului, HI vs Modesto, CA: cost of living compared
Price levels from BEA (2024); rent and home values from Zillow (September 2026).
The short answer
- Overall, Modesto, CA is 4.8% less expensive than Kahului, HI (BEA, 2024).
- To keep the same standard of living, $75,000 in Kahului works out to about $71,400 in Modesto, before taxes.
- Most of the difference is everyday costs rather than housing: goods are 5.7% lower and other services 2.6% lower in Modesto, while housing is 9.0% lower.
- Utility prices (electricity, gas, water) are 20.1% lower in Modesto.
- Typical asking rent is $2,068 a month in Modesto and $3,208 in Kahului, $13,680 a year less in Modesto (Zillow, September 2026).
- A typical home is valued at about $461,000 in Modesto and $982,000 in Kahului.
- The gap is about where it was in 2019 (4.3%).
derived Calculated from BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) and Zillow data. Based on an average household's spending; taxes not included. How we calculate.
Category by category
Both cities against the US average (100). The gap in each row is what matters for a move.
Everyday costs, not housing, drive the gap between Kahului and Modesto
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
- Kahului, HI
- Modesto, CA
All items Kahului, HI: 109.4 Modesto, CA: 104.1
Goods Kahului, HI: 111.6 Modesto, CA: 105.2
Housing (rents) Kahului, HI: 119.2 Modesto, CA: 108.5
Utilities Kahului, HI: 190.6 Modesto, CA: 152.3
Other services Kahului, HI: 102.9 Modesto, CA: 100.3
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Kahului, HI | Modesto, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 109.4 | 104.1 |
| Goods | 111.6 | 105.2 |
| Housing (rents) | 119.2 | 108.5 |
| Utilities | 190.6 | 152.3 |
| Other services | 102.9 | 100.3 |
| Category | Kahului | Modesto | Modesto vs Kahului |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 109.4 | 104.1 | −4.8% |
| Goods | 111.6 | 105.2 | −5.7% |
| Housing (rents) | 119.2 | 108.5 | −9.0% |
| Utilities | 190.6 | 152.3 | −20.1% |
| Other services | 102.9 | 100.3 | −2.6% |
| Typical asking rent | $3,208 | $2,068 | −35.5% |
| Typical home value | $982,000 | $461,000 | −53.0% |
| Salary to match $75,000 in Kahului | $75,000 | $71,400 | −4.8% |
Index values: BEA, 2024, US = 100. Rent and home values: Data Provided by Zillow Group, September 2026.
How the gap has changed since 2008
The price gap between Kahului and Modesto has narrowed since 2008: 8.8 points then, 5.3 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
- Kahului, HI
- Modesto, CA
US average = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Kahului, HI | Modesto, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 107.5 | 98.7 |
| 2009 | 101.1 | 102.5 |
| 2010 | 103.9 | 100.4 |
| 2011 | 104.9 | 101.8 |
| 2012 | 102.7 | 102.1 |
| 2013 | 107.2 | 100.7 |
| 2014 | 102.8 | 99.3 |
| 2015 | 109.0 | 98.6 |
| 2016 | 102.9 | 97.8 |
| 2017 | 104.7 | 99.9 |
| 2018 | 109.2 | 104.5 |
| 2019 | 109.3 | 104.6 |
| 2020 | 111.5 | 103.2 |
| 2021 | 111.2 | 103.0 |
| 2022 | 108.8 | 106.0 |
| 2023 | 107.2 | 105.1 |
| 2024 | 109.4 | 104.1 |
Goods
- Kahului, HI
- Modesto, CA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Kahului, HI | Modesto, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 100.5 | 95.1 |
| 2009 | 100.4 | 101.4 |
| 2010 | 99.6 | 97.3 |
| 2011 | 98.1 | 99.0 |
| 2012 | 97.4 | 99.8 |
| 2013 | 96.3 | 98.2 |
| 2014 | 97.9 | 96.6 |
| 2015 | 103.4 | 94.9 |
| 2016 | 104.5 | 94.0 |
| 2017 | 101.6 | 99.8 |
| 2018 | 116.6 | 105.3 |
| 2019 | 115.3 | 104.8 |
| 2020 | 112.4 | 104.5 |
| 2021 | 110.1 | 106.9 |
| 2022 | 112.0 | 109.0 |
| 2023 | 110.3 | 104.9 |
| 2024 | 111.6 | 105.2 |
Housing (rents)
- Kahului, HI
- Modesto, CA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Kahului, HI | Modesto, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 135.4 | 109.2 |
| 2009 | 102.1 | 110.2 |
| 2010 | 123.2 | 108.2 |
| 2011 | 129.0 | 102.7 |
| 2012 | 118.1 | 102.7 |
| 2013 | 146.2 | 101.5 |
| 2014 | 115.0 | 95.4 |
| 2015 | 144.1 | 98.3 |
| 2016 | 113.4 | 98.0 |
| 2017 | 121.3 | 100.4 |
| 2018 | 127.0 | 102.9 |
| 2019 | 122.6 | 109.3 |
| 2020 | 121.0 | 104.8 |
| 2021 | 128.2 | 105.2 |
| 2022 | 116.1 | 101.7 |
| 2023 | 111.4 | 103.5 |
| 2024 | 119.2 | 108.5 |
Utilities
- Kahului, HI
- Modesto, CA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Kahului, HI | Modesto, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 140.1 | 98.8 |
| 2009 | 122.1 | 98.5 |
| 2010 | 156.2 | 111.0 |
| 2011 | 187.9 | 113.1 |
| 2012 | 178.2 | 116.2 |
| 2013 | 171.0 | 114.8 |
| 2014 | 159.7 | 120.8 |
| 2015 | 148.2 | 121.8 |
| 2016 | 155.6 | 116.0 |
| 2017 | 150.3 | 111.7 |
| 2018 | 200.2 | 121.7 |
| 2019 | 208.4 | 128.9 |
| 2020 | 192.9 | 132.0 |
| 2021 | 187.0 | 140.8 |
| 2022 | 200.3 | 144.6 |
| 2023 | 187.9 | 140.2 |
| 2024 | 190.6 | 152.3 |
Other services
- Kahului, HI
- Modesto, CA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Kahului, HI | Modesto, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 101.9 | 97.7 |
| 2009 | 100.0 | 100.7 |
| 2010 | 97.9 | 98.8 |
| 2011 | 99.2 | 102.5 |
| 2012 | 98.2 | 102.4 |
| 2013 | 100.4 | 101.1 |
| 2014 | 99.8 | 101.0 |
| 2015 | 100.5 | 99.8 |
| 2016 | 97.1 | 98.9 |
| 2017 | 100.1 | 99.2 |
| 2018 | 98.3 | 103.7 |
| 2019 | 100.2 | 101.8 |
| 2020 | 104.0 | 100.4 |
| 2021 | 104.4 | 98.6 |
| 2022 | 102.8 | 103.9 |
| 2023 | 102.1 | 104.2 |
| 2024 | 102.9 | 100.3 |
Rent and home values
Typical asking rent: $2,068 in Modesto vs $3,208 in Kahului
Typical asking rent for a new lease, dollars per month. Quarterly.
- Kahului, HI
- Modesto, CA
- United States
Source: Zillow Observed Rent Index (typical asking rent, all homes, smoothed), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Kahului, HI | Modesto, CA | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | – | $1,004 | $1,145 |
| Jun 2015 | – | $1,040 | $1,170 |
| Sep 2015 | – | $1,058 | $1,181 |
| Dec 2015 | – | $1,065 | $1,182 |
| Mar 2016 | – | $1,102 | $1,195 |
| Jun 2016 | – | $1,140 | $1,219 |
| Sep 2016 | – | $1,155 | $1,225 |
| Dec 2016 | – | $1,180 | $1,222 |
| Mar 2017 | – | $1,210 | $1,245 |
| Jun 2017 | – | $1,249 | $1,270 |
| Sep 2017 | – | $1,271 | $1,276 |
| Dec 2017 | – | $1,258 | $1,275 |
| Mar 2018 | – | $1,299 | $1,296 |
| Jun 2018 | – | $1,323 | $1,320 |
| Sep 2018 | – | $1,355 | $1,327 |
| Dec 2018 | – | $1,363 | $1,329 |
| Mar 2019 | – | $1,360 | $1,349 |
| Jun 2019 | – | $1,400 | $1,376 |
| Sep 2019 | – | $1,408 | $1,383 |
| Dec 2019 | – | $1,425 | $1,381 |
| Mar 2020 | – | $1,451 | $1,402 |
| Jun 2020 | – | $1,484 | $1,406 |
| Sep 2020 | – | $1,524 | $1,410 |
| Dec 2020 | $1,988 | $1,565 | $1,407 |
| Mar 2021 | $2,261 | $1,610 | $1,443 |
| Jun 2021 | $2,456 | $1,667 | $1,512 |
| Sep 2021 | $2,471 | $1,730 | $1,590 |
| Dec 2021 | $2,601 | $1,761 | $1,622 |
| Mar 2022 | $2,700 | $1,816 | $1,661 |
| Jun 2022 | $2,721 | $1,865 | $1,721 |
| Sep 2022 | $2,699 | $1,868 | $1,748 |
| Dec 2022 | $2,890 | $1,847 | $1,735 |
| Mar 2023 | $2,822 | $1,873 | $1,757 |
| Jun 2023 | $2,858 | $1,904 | $1,785 |
| Sep 2023 | $2,937 | $1,930 | $1,797 |
| Dec 2023 | $2,982 | $1,933 | $1,786 |
| Mar 2024 | $3,270 | $1,944 | $1,807 |
| Jun 2024 | $3,185 | $1,982 | $1,837 |
| Sep 2024 | $3,080 | $1,994 | $1,845 |
| Dec 2024 | $3,084 | $1,995 | $1,836 |
| Mar 2025 | $3,129 | $2,002 | $1,860 |
| Jun 2025 | $3,084 | $2,031 | $1,880 |
| Sep 2025 | $3,082 | $2,037 | $1,881 |
| Dec 2025 | $3,035 | $2,014 | $1,873 |
| Mar 2026 | $3,130 | $2,032 | $1,894 |
| Jun 2026 | $3,230 | $2,044 | $1,921 |
| Sep 2026 | $3,208 | $2,068 | $1,932 |
Typical home value: $461,000 in Modesto vs $982,000 in Kahului
Typical home value, dollars. Quarterly.
- Kahului, HI
- Modesto, CA
- United States
Source: Zillow Home Value Index (typical home value, middle tier, smoothed, seasonally adjusted), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Kahului, HI | Modesto, CA | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $537K | $227K | $189K |
| Jun 2015 | $549K | $232K | $192K |
| Sep 2015 | $560K | $238K | $195K |
| Dec 2015 | $571K | $245K | $199K |
| Mar 2016 | $571K | $252K | $202K |
| Jun 2016 | $580K | $255K | $204K |
| Sep 2016 | $589K | $260K | $206K |
| Dec 2016 | $592K | $266K | $209K |
| Mar 2017 | $595K | $274K | $213K |
| Jun 2017 | $608K | $278K | $216K |
| Sep 2017 | $620K | $283K | $219K |
| Dec 2017 | $628K | $291K | $223K |
| Mar 2018 | $630K | $300K | $227K |
| Jun 2018 | $641K | $305K | $230K |
| Sep 2018 | $651K | $309K | $234K |
| Dec 2018 | $658K | $312K | $236K |
| Mar 2019 | $659K | $317K | $239K |
| Jun 2019 | $670K | $320K | $242K |
| Sep 2019 | $676K | $323K | $244K |
| Dec 2019 | $684K | $328K | $247K |
| Mar 2020 | $696K | $333K | $252K |
| Jun 2020 | $702K | $337K | $255K |
| Sep 2020 | $714K | $344K | $260K |
| Dec 2020 | $746K | $362K | $271K |
| Mar 2021 | $771K | $384K | $282K |
| Jun 2021 | $801K | $405K | $296K |
| Sep 2021 | $827K | $417K | $306K |
| Dec 2021 | $863K | $426K | $314K |
| Mar 2022 | $945K | $448K | $330K |
| Jun 2022 | $1.02M | $467K | $346K |
| Sep 2022 | $1.03M | $461K | $348K |
| Dec 2022 | $1.02M | $445K | $345K |
| Mar 2023 | $1.01M | $434K | $343K |
| Jun 2023 | $1.02M | $438K | $347K |
| Sep 2023 | $1.04M | $446K | $352K |
| Dec 2023 | $1.03M | $451K | $354K |
| Mar 2024 | $1.05M | $456K | $357K |
| Jun 2024 | $1.07M | $462K | $361K |
| Sep 2024 | $1.09M | $464K | $361K |
| Dec 2024 | $1.08M | $466K | $363K |
| Mar 2025 | $1.07M | $466K | $364K |
| Jun 2025 | $1.04M | $464K | $362K |
| Sep 2025 | $1.01M | $460K | $362K |
| Dec 2025 | $1.01M | $461K | $364K |
| Mar 2026 | $1M | $462K | $366K |
| Jun 2026 | $988K | $461K | $365K |
| Sep 2026 | $982K | $461K | $366K |
More about each city
What this comparison leaves out
- Taxes. State and local income, sales and property taxes can change the result a lot, especially between states.
- Neighborhoods. These are metro-wide averages; a city center and its outer suburbs can differ by more than two metros do.
- Your own spending mix. The default uses an average household. Use the housing slider above if rent is a bigger share of your budget.
- Timing. BEA price levels are for 2024; Zillow figures are monthly and newer.