Average Rent in Modesto, CA: What Renters Can Expect
Recent rent trackers put Modesto’s overall rental estimates in a wide range, so there is no single figure that fits every listing. Compare the reporting period and property type, then use bedroom-level estimates to shape your budget.
In this article
The average rent in Modesto, CA is roughly $1,500 to $1,950 a month, depending on which tracker you check. Zillow puts it at $1,949 [1], while Apartments.com reports $1,498 a month [2]. The gap comes mostly from what each tracker counts, so pick the figure that matches the kind of home you want.
If you want an apartment, RentCafe's average for Modesto apartments is $1,701 [4]. Rent.com puts 2026 apartment rents between $1,487 and $1,799 [5]. Expect the low end for smaller units and the high end for larger ones.
Use these citywide numbers to set a starting budget. Then check the rent and included costs for the specific home you are considering.
Why rent estimates don’t match
Rent estimates differ because they may describe different homes, use different calculations, and update at different times. A figure for apartments alone may not match one that includes houses or all bedroom counts, so check what each estimate covers before comparing it. Zillow’s Modesto figure covers all bedrooms and property types, while Apartments.com presents a separate city rent estimate. [1] [2] For a closer look, read Modesto CA Housing Market: Prices and Trends.
Median and average measure different things
An average adds the rents in a set and divides by the number of rentals; a median is the middle rent when listings are ordered from low to high. A few unusually high or low rents can pull an average away from the rent in the middle, so the measures answer different questions.
Apartment List reports a city median rent of $1,675. [3] That median is not interchangeable with an average: if you are comparing estimates, label each one by its measure rather than treating them as competing quotes for the same rental.
Check what the tracker is counting
The underlying listing sample can also differ. One tracker may reflect apartment listings, while another may include more property types; as a result, the estimates can land at different levels even when they refer to the same city. [1] [2]
Update schedules matter, too. A tracker’s figure is a snapshot of its own data, not a guaranteed asking price for a particular unit. For example, don’t assume that a city median tells you what a specific house or apartment will cost; use the figure as context, then check the current listing.
What apartments cost by bedroom count
RentCafe’s bedroom-level figures give you a practical way to compare apartment costs by unit size, rather than treating one number as a price for every rental. It reports average rents of $1,348 for studios, $1,569 for one-bedroom apartments, $1,887 for two-bedroom apartments, and $2,181 for three-bedroom apartments. [4]
For example, compare the one-bedroom figure with the two-bedroom figure if you are deciding whether the extra space fits your budget; RentCafe’s reported averages differ by $318. [4] These are RentCafe figures, not guaranteed prices for a specific apartment, so use the bedroom category that matches the rental you are considering. For a closer look, read Dayton OH Rent by Bedroom Count: Studio to 3-Bedroom Prices.
RentCafe also reports an overall apartment average of $1,741 and an average apartment size of 790 square feet. [4] That overall figure is best kept separate from the bedroom-level amounts: it summarizes apartments across the data set and is not a combined citywide average for every kind of rental. If a listing has a different layout or size, compare its actual rent and features rather than assuming the category average will match it.
How to use these figures for your budget
Use the estimate that best matches your property type and bedroom needs as a starting point, not as a quote for a specific rental. For example, if you’re looking for a two-bedroom apartment, use an apartment-specific estimate to frame your search, then check individual listings before deciding what you can afford. [4]
Compare available rentals in the area you want, since a citywide estimate cannot tell you what a particular home or neighborhood is asking. Before applying, ask the landlord or property manager to confirm what the listed rent includes, such as utilities or other recurring charges; don’t assume those costs are covered. [1]
Check when each estimate or listing was published. The figures in rental trackers can refer to different reporting periods—for example, RentCafe shows dated rent observations from November 2023 through July 2026, while Zillow presents a current average alongside monthly figures for 2025 and 2026. [1][4] A listing may also change after it is posted, so verify the current asking rent and included costs directly before you build your final budget. [1]
A practical rent estimate for Modesto
Treat published citywide rent figures as a range, not one definitive price, and use bedroom-level comparisons plus current listings to judge a specific rental. Zillow reports an average of $1,923 across all bedrooms and property types, while Apartments.com reports $1,491 per month; RentCafe’s apartment averages offer another reference point, including $1,569 for a one-bedroom and $1,887 for a two-bedroom. [1][2][4]
These figures can help you set a starting budget, but they do not tell you what a particular unit will cost. For example, if you are looking for a two-bedroom apartment, compare the bedroom-level estimate with current two-bedroom listings rather than relying on a broad citywide figure. Check the specific property’s rent and included costs before deciding whether it fits your budget.
Before contacting a landlord, choose a few listings that match your bedroom needs and compare their asking rents side by side. If the options you find sit above your target, adjust your budget or search criteria; if they fit, confirm the details with the property manager. Your best estimate is the one grounded in current listings for the kind of rental you actually want.
Sources
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