Salary comparison
Childcare Workers: Modesto vs Mount Vernon
Modesto, CA pays about 4.4% more for childcare workers on paper — $41,920 vs $40,150. But once you factor in what it costs to live there, Modesto comes out ahead by $1,770 a year in real buying power.
Modesto, CA
$41,920
$37,840
$44,820
$20.16
100
$41,920/yr
Median adjusted for local cost of living.
Mount Vernon, WA
$40,150
$38,440
$44,590
$19.30
100
$40,150/yr
Median adjusted for local cost of living.
What the numbers mean in practice
The headline gap is $1,770 a year (4.4%) in favor of Modesto. That is the raw salary difference before any living costs.
Modesto runs a cost index of 100 against the national baseline of 100; Mount Vernon sits at 100. After adjusting the median for those costs, Modesto is the better deal by $1,770 a year — that is what each paycheck actually buys locally.
If you are weighing a move from Mount Vernon to Modesto for this role, the raise needs to beat 4.4% 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, Modesto or Mount Vernon?
Modesto pays $41,920 on median — about 4.4% more than Mount Vernon ($40,150). 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 $40,150 in the other city.