California · Census, HUD and BEA figures · Updated

Cost of Living in Stanislaus County, CA

Prices around Stanislaus County, CA run 4.1% above the U.S. average (BEA, the metro area). The typical household there earns $81,468 a year, and HUD puts a two-bedroom at $1,758 a month. Keeping that rent under 30% of income takes about $70,320 a year.

Stanislaus County, CA at a glance

Median household income

$81,468$6,789 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-bedroom rent$1,758HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price level (U.S. = 100)104.1+4.1% · BEA, the metro area
Electricity34.7¢per kWh · EIA Residential CA
Population553,990Census ACS 5-year estimate

How much rent can you afford in Stanislaus County, CA?

HUD’s fair market rent for each size, against what a typical household here earns. Change the income to see yours.

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,758Monthly market rent
Share of gross income25.9%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$70,320To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$2,037At 30% of $81,468
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

How much is rent in Stanislaus County, CA? By bedroom, 2026

HUD's fiscal 2026 Fair Market Rents for Modesto, CA MSA, with the income each one takes if rent stays under 30% of it.

HUD Fair Market Rent in Stanislaus County, CA, fiscal 2026
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$1,255$15,060$50,20018.5%
1-Bedroom Apartment$1,356$16,272$54,24020%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,758$21,096$70,32025.9%
3-Bedroom Home$2,442$29,304$97,68036%
4-Bedroom Home$2,823$33,876$112,92041.6%

Rent in Stanislaus County, CA, with the wage each unit needs →

What a typical income covers in Stanislaus County, CA

The 50/30/20 rule applied to the local median of $81,468 a year ($6,789 a month before tax).

Needs (50%)$3,395/moRent ($1,758 2-BR), utilities (~$313/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$2,037/moEating out, travel, subscriptions and the rest
Savings and debt (20%)$1,358/moEmergency fund, retirement, paying down loans

What $81,468 leaves after California taxes

Federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and California tax on the local median income. Change the salary to see yours.

$81,468
$30,000$165,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$81,468
Net 77%
Fed 11%
CA 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$62,811After all taxes
Monthly deposit$5,234Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,416Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate22.9%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$9,093 / yr
California state income tax$3,332 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$6,232 / yr

Living in Stanislaus County, CA: common questions

What is the median household income in Stanislaus County, CA?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Stanislaus County, CA is $81,468 per year (approximately $6,789 per month).

What is the average rent in Stanislaus County, CA?

The closest official figure is HUD's Fair Market Rent for 2026: $1,255 for a studio, $1,356 for one bedroom, $1,758 for two, $2,442 for three and $2,823 for four, utilities included.

It is not an average of listings. HUD sets it at the rent 40% of recent movers paid or less for a standard unit, so a new lease on a nicer place will usually cost more.

Is Stanislaus County, CA expensive to live in?

Prices there run 4.1% above the U.S. average. BEA's regional price parity for the metro area is 104.1, where the U.S. is 100. Rent moves the number most: housing is where places differ, while goods cost about the same everywhere.

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Stanislaus County, CA?

To keep a $1,758 two-bedroom under 30% of gross income, a household needs about $70,320 a year, or $5,860 a month. That is 86% of what the typical household in Stanislaus County, CA earns.

How much do you need to live comfortably in Stanislaus County, CA?

On the local median income of $81,468 ($6,789 a month before tax), the 50/30/20 rule leaves $3,395 a month for needs like rent, utilities and groceries, $2,037 for everything else and $1,358 for savings or debt. A two-bedroom at $1,758 takes 52% of the needs share.

How much is the electric bill in Stanislaus County, CA?

Homes in California paid 34.7¢ per kWh on average (EIA). At 900 kWh a month, a typical use, that is about $313. Your bill depends mostly on heating and cooling.