Rent in Modesto, CA at a glance
2-bedroom rent (HUD)
$1,758$21,096 a year · HUD fiscal year 2026From October 1, 2026: $1,803 (+2.6%)How much rent can you afford in Modesto, CA?
HUD’s fair market rent for each size, against what a typical household here earns. Change the income to see yours.
Rent in Modesto, CA by bedroom, and the pay it takes
Income needed keeps rent at 30% of gross pay; the hourly figure assumes one full-time job, 2,080 hours a year.
| Size | A month | A year | Income needed | Hourly wage needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,255 | $15,060 | $50,200 | $24.13/hr |
| 1 bedroom | $1,356 | $16,272 | $54,240 | $26.08/hr |
| 2 bedroomsMost searched | $1,758 | $21,096 | $70,320 | $33.81/hr |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,442 | $29,304 | $97,680 | $46.96/hr |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,823 | $33,876 | $112,920 | $54.29/hr |
Cost of living in Modesto, CA: income, prices and a budget →
Living and working in Modesto, CA
Rent in Modesto, CA: common questions
How much is rent going up in Modesto, CA in 2027?
HUD's Fair Market Rent for fiscal 2027, which takes effect October 1, 2026, is $1,803 for a two-bedroom, up 2.6% from $1,758. A one-bedroom goes from $1,356 to $1,378, a studio from $1,255 to $1,276.
These are HUD's estimates of what a typical recently rented unit costs, used for housing vouchers. A landlord's increase on your lease follows your lease and your state's rules, not this figure.
What is the average rent in Modesto, CA?
HUD's Fair Market Rent for 2026 is $1,356 for a one-bedroom and $1,758 for a two-bedroom, utilities included. That is $21,096 a year for the two-bedroom.
It is not an average of current listings. HUD sets it at the rent 40% of recent movers paid or less for a standard unit, so asking rents on newer places usually run higher.
How much do you need to make to afford rent in Modesto, CA?
To keep a $1,758 two-bedroom at 30% of gross pay, one full-time worker needs $33.81 an hour, or $70,320 a year. A one-bedroom at $1,356 takes $26.08 an hour.
How much is a 1, 2 or 3-bedroom apartment in Modesto, CA?
At HUD's 2026 Fair Market Rent: studio $1,255, one bedroom $1,356, two $1,758, three $2,442 and four $2,823 a month.
Is rent affordable in Modesto, CA?
For the typical household, earning $79,891 a year ($6,658 a month, Census ACS), a two-bedroom at $1,758 takes 26.4% of income. Under 30% is the usual line for affordable; this is under it.
How is the income needed for rent worked out?
Rent for a year divided by 0.30, the share of gross income HUD treats as affordable: ($1,758 × 12) ÷ 0.30 = $70,320. Divided by 2,080 working hours, that is $33.81 an hour.