CALCMONEY // HOME AFFORDABILITY // CA // MODESTO
How much house can you afford in Modesto? Based on local median home prices, current CA mortgage rates, and Modesto property tax data.
$390,000
$2,457/mo
$105,307/yr
$179,430
Monthly housing costs of $2,457 represent 50.8% of Modesto's median gross monthly income ($4,833/mo). At 50.8%, median-income buyers in Modesto are significantly stretched — well above the 28% guideline. A larger down payment or higher income is required.
| Median Home Price | $390,000 |
| Down Payment (20%) | $78,000 |
| Loan Amount | $312,000 |
| Monthly PI Payment | $2,044 |
| Monthly Property Tax | $250 |
| Monthly Insurance Est. | $163 |
| Total Monthly PITI | $2,457 |
| Housing Cost % of Income | 50.8% |
| Required Income (28% rule) | $105,307/yr |
| Max Affordable Home | $179,430 |
$13,650
$3,145/mo
Modesto Home Affordability Quick Reference 2026
| Metric | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Median Home Price | $390,000 | Modesto city median |
| Down Payment (20%) | $78,000 | Conventional loan |
| Monthly PITI | $2,457 | 6.85% rate, 30yr fixed |
| Required Income (28% rule) | $105,307 | Annual gross |
| Max Affordable Home | $179,430 | Based on median income |
| FHA Down (3.5%) | $13,650 | Minimum FHA |
| Housing Cost % of Income | 50.8% | Median income: $58,000/yr |
| Property Tax Rate | 0.77% | $3,003/yr on median home |
Monthly PITI includes principal, interest, property tax, and homeowners insurance. Estimates only.
The median home price in Modesto is $390,000, with a local 30-year mortgage rate of 6.85%. A buyer putting 20% down carries a loan of $312,000, generating a monthly P&I payment of $2,044. Adding property taxes ($250/mo) and homeowners insurance ($163/mo) brings total monthly PITI to $2,457.
Modesto's property tax rate of 0.77% is among the lower rates in the country, which improves overall affordability by keeping total PITI closer to the principal and interest payment alone. On the Modesto median home, that is $250/month, or $3,003 per year.
California levies a state income tax, which affects take-home pay and effective buying power. High-income earners in Modesto should factor state tax liability into their overall housing budget — mortgage interest may be deductible on both federal and state returns.
Using the 28% rule, a household earning Modesto's median income of $58,000/year can afford up to $1,353/month in total housing costs. Based on Modesto's mortgage rate of 6.85% and property tax rate of 0.77%, that translates to a maximum affordable home price of approximately $179,430 with 20% down on a 30-year loan.
To afford the median Modesto home priced at $390,000, you need an annual gross income of approximately $105,307. Total monthly housing costs (principal and interest of $2,044, property taxes of $250, and insurance of $163) come to $2,457/month, which equals 28% of the required income.
At the median home price of $390,000 and median household income of $58,000, the total monthly housing cost of $2,457 represents 50.8% of gross monthly income. This is well above the standard 28% threshold, making Modesto a challenging market for buyers at median income.
A conventional 20% down payment on the median Modesto home of $390,000 is $78,000. An FHA loan requires just 3.5% down — $13,650 — but adds mortgage insurance of roughly $267/month, bringing total FHA payments to $3,145/month.
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