Salary Needed to Live in Modesto as a Single

A single adult living independently needs approximately $20,229/year to live comfortably in Modesto, CA — including 10% savings.

Comfortable Salary
$20,229
with 10% savings
Bare Minimum
$17,458
no savings buffer
Monthly Expenses
$1,062
2% below national avg

Detailed Monthly Budget for a Single in Modesto

ExpenseModestoNat'l AvgDiff
🏠 Studio/1BR Rent$103$113-9%
🛒 Groceries$23$17+35%
⚡ Utilities$11$14-21%
🚗 Transportation$22$26-15%
🛡️ Car Insurance$176$215-18%
🏥 Health Insurance$43$54-20%
Internet$69$65+6%
Phone$90$85+6%
Dining & Social$318$300+6%
Entertainment$127$120+6%
Personal Care$80$75+7%
Total Monthly$1,062$1,084-2%

How We Calculated the Salary

Monthly expenses:$1,062
Target savings (10%):$137/mo
Monthly after-tax needed:$1,199
Effective tax rate:27%

Gross annual salary needed:$20,229

Other Household Types in Modesto

Couple (No Kids)
$28,485/yr
$1,448/mo expenses
Family with Kids
$62,069/yr
$3,000/mo expenses
Retiree
$21,053/yr
$1,193/mo expenses

Related Pages

Living Alone in ModestoCity OverviewAfford on $75K?Afford on $100K?Cost of Living

FAQ

What salary does a single person need in Modesto?
A single person needs approximately $20,229/year ($1,686/month gross) to live comfortably in Modesto with a 10% savings rate.
How much is rent for a single person in Modesto?
A studio/1br in Modesto costs approximately $103/month, which is the largest single expense at 10% of the total budget.
Is Modesto affordable for a single person?
Modesto is roughly average for single person costs, requiring a salary close to the national median.
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