Modesto, CA vs Kahului, HI: cost of living compared
Price levels from BEA (2024); rent and home values from Zillow (September 2026).
The short answer
- Overall, Kahului, HI is 5.1% more expensive than Modesto, CA (BEA, 2024).
- To keep the same standard of living, $75,000 in Modesto works out to about $78,800 in Kahului, before taxes.
- Most of the difference is everyday costs rather than housing: goods are 6.1% higher and other services 2.6% higher in Kahului, while housing is 9.9% higher.
- Utility prices (electricity, gas, water) are 25.2% higher in Kahului.
- Typical asking rent is $3,208 a month in Kahului and $2,068 in Modesto, $13,680 a year more in Kahului (Zillow, September 2026).
- A typical home is valued at about $982,000 in Kahului and $461,000 in Modesto.
- The gap is about where it was in 2019 (4.5%).
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 Modesto and Kahului
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
- Modesto, CA
- Kahului, HI
All items Modesto, CA: 104.1 Kahului, HI: 109.4
Goods Modesto, CA: 105.2 Kahului, HI: 111.6
Housing (rents) Modesto, CA: 108.5 Kahului, HI: 119.2
Utilities Modesto, CA: 152.3 Kahului, HI: 190.6
Other services Modesto, CA: 100.3 Kahului, HI: 102.9
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Modesto, CA | Kahului, HI | |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 104.1 | 109.4 |
| Goods | 105.2 | 111.6 |
| Housing (rents) | 108.5 | 119.2 |
| Utilities | 152.3 | 190.6 |
| Other services | 100.3 | 102.9 |
| Category | Modesto | Kahului | Kahului vs Modesto |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 104.1 | 109.4 | +5.1% |
| Goods | 105.2 | 111.6 | +6.1% |
| Housing (rents) | 108.5 | 119.2 | +9.9% |
| Utilities | 152.3 | 190.6 | +25.2% |
| Other services | 100.3 | 102.9 | +2.6% |
| Typical asking rent | $2,068 | $3,208 | +55.1% |
| Typical home value | $461,000 | $982,000 | +113.0% |
| Salary to match $75,000 in Modesto | $75,000 | $78,800 | +5.1% |
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 Modesto and Kahului has narrowed since 2008: 8.8 points then, 5.3 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
- Modesto, CA
- Kahului, HI
US average = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Modesto, CA | Kahului, HI | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 98.7 | 107.5 |
| 2009 | 102.5 | 101.1 |
| 2010 | 100.4 | 103.9 |
| 2011 | 101.8 | 104.9 |
| 2012 | 102.1 | 102.7 |
| 2013 | 100.7 | 107.2 |
| 2014 | 99.3 | 102.8 |
| 2015 | 98.6 | 109.0 |
| 2016 | 97.8 | 102.9 |
| 2017 | 99.9 | 104.7 |
| 2018 | 104.5 | 109.2 |
| 2019 | 104.6 | 109.3 |
| 2020 | 103.2 | 111.5 |
| 2021 | 103.0 | 111.2 |
| 2022 | 106.0 | 108.8 |
| 2023 | 105.1 | 107.2 |
| 2024 | 104.1 | 109.4 |
Goods
- Modesto, CA
- Kahului, HI
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Modesto, CA | Kahului, HI | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 95.1 | 100.5 |
| 2009 | 101.4 | 100.4 |
| 2010 | 97.3 | 99.6 |
| 2011 | 99.0 | 98.1 |
| 2012 | 99.8 | 97.4 |
| 2013 | 98.2 | 96.3 |
| 2014 | 96.6 | 97.9 |
| 2015 | 94.9 | 103.4 |
| 2016 | 94.0 | 104.5 |
| 2017 | 99.8 | 101.6 |
| 2018 | 105.3 | 116.6 |
| 2019 | 104.8 | 115.3 |
| 2020 | 104.5 | 112.4 |
| 2021 | 106.9 | 110.1 |
| 2022 | 109.0 | 112.0 |
| 2023 | 104.9 | 110.3 |
| 2024 | 105.2 | 111.6 |
Housing (rents)
- Modesto, CA
- Kahului, HI
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Modesto, CA | Kahului, HI | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 109.2 | 135.4 |
| 2009 | 110.2 | 102.1 |
| 2010 | 108.2 | 123.2 |
| 2011 | 102.7 | 129.0 |
| 2012 | 102.7 | 118.1 |
| 2013 | 101.5 | 146.2 |
| 2014 | 95.4 | 115.0 |
| 2015 | 98.3 | 144.1 |
| 2016 | 98.0 | 113.4 |
| 2017 | 100.4 | 121.3 |
| 2018 | 102.9 | 127.0 |
| 2019 | 109.3 | 122.6 |
| 2020 | 104.8 | 121.0 |
| 2021 | 105.2 | 128.2 |
| 2022 | 101.7 | 116.1 |
| 2023 | 103.5 | 111.4 |
| 2024 | 108.5 | 119.2 |
Utilities
- Modesto, CA
- Kahului, HI
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Modesto, CA | Kahului, HI | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 98.8 | 140.1 |
| 2009 | 98.5 | 122.1 |
| 2010 | 111.0 | 156.2 |
| 2011 | 113.1 | 187.9 |
| 2012 | 116.2 | 178.2 |
| 2013 | 114.8 | 171.0 |
| 2014 | 120.8 | 159.7 |
| 2015 | 121.8 | 148.2 |
| 2016 | 116.0 | 155.6 |
| 2017 | 111.7 | 150.3 |
| 2018 | 121.7 | 200.2 |
| 2019 | 128.9 | 208.4 |
| 2020 | 132.0 | 192.9 |
| 2021 | 140.8 | 187.0 |
| 2022 | 144.6 | 200.3 |
| 2023 | 140.2 | 187.9 |
| 2024 | 152.3 | 190.6 |
Other services
- Modesto, CA
- Kahului, HI
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Modesto, CA | Kahului, HI | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 97.7 | 101.9 |
| 2009 | 100.7 | 100.0 |
| 2010 | 98.8 | 97.9 |
| 2011 | 102.5 | 99.2 |
| 2012 | 102.4 | 98.2 |
| 2013 | 101.1 | 100.4 |
| 2014 | 101.0 | 99.8 |
| 2015 | 99.8 | 100.5 |
| 2016 | 98.9 | 97.1 |
| 2017 | 99.2 | 100.1 |
| 2018 | 103.7 | 98.3 |
| 2019 | 101.8 | 100.2 |
| 2020 | 100.4 | 104.0 |
| 2021 | 98.6 | 104.4 |
| 2022 | 103.9 | 102.8 |
| 2023 | 104.2 | 102.1 |
| 2024 | 100.3 | 102.9 |
Rent and home values
Typical asking rent: $3,208 in Kahului vs $2,068 in Modesto
Typical asking rent for a new lease, dollars per month. Quarterly.
- Modesto, CA
- Kahului, HI
- United States
Source: Zillow Observed Rent Index (typical asking rent, all homes, smoothed), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Modesto, CA | Kahului, HI | 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 | $1,565 | $1,988 | $1,407 |
| Mar 2021 | $1,610 | $2,261 | $1,443 |
| Jun 2021 | $1,667 | $2,456 | $1,512 |
| Sep 2021 | $1,730 | $2,471 | $1,590 |
| Dec 2021 | $1,761 | $2,601 | $1,622 |
| Mar 2022 | $1,816 | $2,700 | $1,661 |
| Jun 2022 | $1,865 | $2,721 | $1,721 |
| Sep 2022 | $1,868 | $2,699 | $1,748 |
| Dec 2022 | $1,847 | $2,890 | $1,735 |
| Mar 2023 | $1,873 | $2,822 | $1,757 |
| Jun 2023 | $1,904 | $2,858 | $1,785 |
| Sep 2023 | $1,930 | $2,937 | $1,797 |
| Dec 2023 | $1,933 | $2,982 | $1,786 |
| Mar 2024 | $1,944 | $3,270 | $1,807 |
| Jun 2024 | $1,982 | $3,185 | $1,837 |
| Sep 2024 | $1,994 | $3,080 | $1,845 |
| Dec 2024 | $1,995 | $3,084 | $1,836 |
| Mar 2025 | $2,002 | $3,129 | $1,860 |
| Jun 2025 | $2,031 | $3,084 | $1,880 |
| Sep 2025 | $2,037 | $3,082 | $1,881 |
| Dec 2025 | $2,014 | $3,035 | $1,873 |
| Mar 2026 | $2,032 | $3,130 | $1,894 |
| Jun 2026 | $2,044 | $3,230 | $1,921 |
| Sep 2026 | $2,068 | $3,208 | $1,932 |
Typical home value: $982,000 in Kahului vs $461,000 in Modesto
Typical home value, dollars. Quarterly.
- Modesto, CA
- Kahului, HI
- 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
| Modesto, CA | Kahului, HI | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $227K | $537K | $189K |
| Jun 2015 | $232K | $549K | $192K |
| Sep 2015 | $238K | $560K | $195K |
| Dec 2015 | $245K | $571K | $199K |
| Mar 2016 | $252K | $571K | $202K |
| Jun 2016 | $255K | $580K | $204K |
| Sep 2016 | $260K | $589K | $206K |
| Dec 2016 | $266K | $592K | $209K |
| Mar 2017 | $274K | $595K | $213K |
| Jun 2017 | $278K | $608K | $216K |
| Sep 2017 | $283K | $620K | $219K |
| Dec 2017 | $291K | $628K | $223K |
| Mar 2018 | $300K | $630K | $227K |
| Jun 2018 | $305K | $641K | $230K |
| Sep 2018 | $309K | $651K | $234K |
| Dec 2018 | $312K | $658K | $236K |
| Mar 2019 | $317K | $659K | $239K |
| Jun 2019 | $320K | $670K | $242K |
| Sep 2019 | $323K | $676K | $244K |
| Dec 2019 | $328K | $684K | $247K |
| Mar 2020 | $333K | $696K | $252K |
| Jun 2020 | $337K | $702K | $255K |
| Sep 2020 | $344K | $714K | $260K |
| Dec 2020 | $362K | $746K | $271K |
| Mar 2021 | $384K | $771K | $282K |
| Jun 2021 | $405K | $801K | $296K |
| Sep 2021 | $417K | $827K | $306K |
| Dec 2021 | $426K | $863K | $314K |
| Mar 2022 | $448K | $945K | $330K |
| Jun 2022 | $467K | $1.02M | $346K |
| Sep 2022 | $461K | $1.03M | $348K |
| Dec 2022 | $445K | $1.02M | $345K |
| Mar 2023 | $434K | $1.01M | $343K |
| Jun 2023 | $438K | $1.02M | $347K |
| Sep 2023 | $446K | $1.04M | $352K |
| Dec 2023 | $451K | $1.03M | $354K |
| Mar 2024 | $456K | $1.05M | $357K |
| Jun 2024 | $462K | $1.07M | $361K |
| Sep 2024 | $464K | $1.09M | $361K |
| Dec 2024 | $466K | $1.08M | $363K |
| Mar 2025 | $466K | $1.07M | $364K |
| Jun 2025 | $464K | $1.04M | $362K |
| Sep 2025 | $460K | $1.01M | $362K |
| Dec 2025 | $461K | $1.01M | $364K |
| Mar 2026 | $462K | $1M | $366K |
| Jun 2026 | $461K | $988K | $365K |
| Sep 2026 | $461K | $982K | $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.