1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Modesto, CA
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Modesto, California as of July 2026. That's +38% lower than the citywide median of $1,986 and +12% below the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Modesto
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a 1-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Modesto
Compare Modesto's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 1-bedroom in California
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Taft | $880 |
| 2 | Ridgecrest | $887 |
| 3 | Lakeport | $900 |
| 4 | California City | $950 |
| 5 | Clearlake | $950 |
| 6 | Barstow | $974 |
| 7 | Oroville | $1,005 |
| 8 | El Centro | $1,020 |
| 9 | Paradise | $1,020 |
| 10 | Red Bluff | $1,030 |
| 11 | Eureka | $1,040 |
| 12 | Porterville | $1,060 |
| 13 | Shafter | $1,060 |
| 14 | Tehachapi | $1,110 |
| 15 | Hanford | $1,120 |
Most expensive cities for a 1-bedroom in California
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cupertino | $3,880 |
| 2 | Foster City | $3,820 |
| 3 | Santa Cruz | $3,710 |
| 4 | Scotts Valley | $3,600 |
| 5 | Aptos | $3,600 |
| 6 | Tiburon | $3,530 |
| 7 | Los Altos | $3,530 |
| 8 | Coronado | $3,460 |
| 9 | Sunnyvale | $3,438 |
| 10 | Millbrae | $3,410 |
| 11 | Corte Madera | $3,390 |
| 12 | Santa Barbara | $3,382 |
| 13 | Palo Alto | $3,305 |
| 14 | Mountain View | $3,303 |
| 15 | Ladera Ranch | $3,280 |
Nearby cities — 1-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 3 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Modesto.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Modesto |
|---|---|---|---|
| Riverbank, CA | 6.8 mi | $1,260 | +$38 (+3%) |
| Ceres, CA | 8.1 mi | $1,210 | $-12 (-1%) |
| Turlock, CA | 14.6 mi | $1,215 | $-7 (-1%) |
| Manteca, CA | 17.1 mi | $1,560 | +$338 (+28%) |
| Oakdale, CA | 19.5 mi | $1,210 | $-12 (-1%) |
| Patterson, CA | 20.7 mi | $1,420 | +$198 (+16%) |
| Lathrop, CA | 23.4 mi | $1,810 | +$588 (+48%) |
| Stockton, CA | 33.3 mi | $1,428 | +$206 (+17%) |
| Tracy, CA | 33.5 mi | $1,938 | +$716 (+59%) |
| Atwater, CA | 33.7 mi | $1,230 | +$8 (+1%) |
| Lodi, CA | 36.9 mi | $1,430 | +$208 (+17%) |
| Los Banos, CA | 42.2 mi | $1,430 | +$208 (+17%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Modesto — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Modesto?
As of July 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Modesto, California is $1,222 per month. This is +38% below the citywide median of $1,986.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Modesto?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $48,880 ($4,073/month gross), which works out to roughly $23.50/hour at a full-time job.
Is Modesto expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Modesto's 1-bedroom median of $1,222 is +12% below the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 38th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Modesto rank for 1-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 385 cities in California with 1-bedroom data, Modesto ranks #30 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Modesto?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Ceres ($1,210), Turlock ($1,215), Oakdale ($1,210).