Salary comparison
Childcare Workers: Boston vs Modesto
Modesto, CA pays about 0.8% more for childcare workers on paper — $41,920 vs $41,590. But once you factor in what it costs to live there, Modesto comes out ahead by $330 a year in real buying power.
Boston, MA
$41,590
$37,760
$48,910
$20.00
100
$41,590/yr
Median adjusted for local cost of living.
Modesto, CA
$41,920
$37,840
$44,820
$20.16
100
$41,920/yr
Median adjusted for local cost of living.
What the numbers mean in practice
The headline gap is $330 a year (0.8%) in favor of Modesto. That is the raw salary difference before any living costs.
Boston runs a cost index of 100 against the national baseline of 100; Modesto sits at 100. After adjusting the median for those costs, Modesto is the better deal by $330 a year — that is what each paycheck actually buys locally.
If you are weighing a move from Boston to Modesto for this role, the raise needs to beat 0.8% to come out ahead after living costs. Anything below that and you are earning more on paper but keeping less.
Common questions
Where do childcare workers earn more, Boston or Modesto?
Modesto pays $41,920 on median — about 0.8% more than Boston ($41,590). Based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Which city is the better deal after living costs?
Modesto. Once you divide each median by the local cost index, Modesto gives you roughly$41,920 of real buying power versus $41,590 in the other city.