2-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Modesto, CA
Median asking rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in Modesto, California as of July 2026. That's +20% lower than the citywide median of $1,986 and +4% below the national 2-bedroom median of $1,655.
Income needed for a 2-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 2-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 2-bedroom in California
| # | City | 2-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ridgecrest | $1,107 |
| 2 | Taft | $1,140 |
| 3 | Lakeport | $1,180 |
| 4 | Barstow | $1,216 |
| 5 | California City | $1,230 |
| 6 | Clearlake | $1,250 |
| 7 | Oroville | $1,305 |
| 8 | El Centro | $1,330 |
| 9 | Paradise | $1,330 |
| 10 | Red Bluff | $1,350 |
| 11 | Eureka | $1,360 |
| 12 | Shafter | $1,380 |
| 13 | Porterville | $1,390 |
| 14 | Hanford | $1,400 |
| 15 | Tehachapi | $1,440 |
Most expensive cities for a 2-bedroom in California
| # | City | 2-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Santa Cruz | $4,865 |
| 2 | Scotts Valley | $4,720 |
| 3 | Aptos | $4,720 |
| 4 | Foster City | $4,560 |
| 5 | Cupertino | $4,500 |
| 6 | Capitola | $4,290 |
| 7 | Coronado | $4,280 |
| 8 | Tiburon | $4,210 |
| 9 | Los Altos | $4,170 |
| 10 | Millbrae | $4,070 |
| 11 | Corte Madera | $4,040 |
| 12 | Solana Beach | $3,990 |
| 13 | Sunnyvale | $3,980 |
| 14 | Topanga | $3,940 |
| 15 | Rancho Palos Verdes | $3,940 |
Nearby cities — 2-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 4 of these cities have cheaper 2-bedroom rents than Modesto.
| City | Distance | 2-Bedroom rent | vs Modesto |
|---|---|---|---|
| Riverbank, CA | 6.8 mi | $1,630 | +$48 (+3%) |
| Ceres, CA | 8.1 mi | $1,570 | $-12 (-1%) |
| Turlock, CA | 14.6 mi | $1,575 | $-7 (0%) |
| Manteca, CA | 17.1 mi | $1,985 | +$403 (+25%) |
| Oakdale, CA | 19.5 mi | $1,570 | $-12 (-1%) |
| Patterson, CA | 20.7 mi | $1,840 | +$258 (+16%) |
| Lathrop, CA | 23.4 mi | $2,310 | +$728 (+46%) |
| Stockton, CA | 33.3 mi | $1,806 | +$224 (+14%) |
| Tracy, CA | 33.5 mi | $2,468 | +$886 (+56%) |
| Atwater, CA | 33.7 mi | $1,510 | $-72 (-5%) |
| Lodi, CA | 36.9 mi | $1,825 | +$243 (+15%) |
| Los Banos, CA | 42.2 mi | $1,760 | +$178 (+11%) |
2-Bedroom rent in Modesto — common questions
How much is a 2-bedroom apartment in Modesto?
As of July 2026, the median 2-bedroom apartment rent in Modesto, California is $1,582 per month. This is +20% below the citywide median of $1,986.
What income do you need to afford a 2-bedroom in Modesto?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $63,280 ($5,273/month gross), which works out to roughly $30.42/hour at a full-time job.
Is Modesto expensive for a 2-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Modesto's 2-bedroom median of $1,582 is +4% below the national 2-bedroom median of $1,655. It ranks in the 46th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Modesto rank for 2-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 386 cities in California with 2-bedroom data, Modesto ranks #34 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 2-bedroom options near Modesto?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 2-bedroom rents include Ceres ($1,570), Turlock ($1,575), Oakdale ($1,570).