Window replacement cost in Modesto, CA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (10 windows)
- $4,850 – $16,100
- Per window
- $486 – $1,608
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +7%
- US $9,750
- Rank of 300 metros
- #31
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to replace windows in Modesto, plan on $4,850 to $16,100 for 10 windows, all in. Per window, that is $486 to $1,608 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 7% higher than the national one. Building materials run about 5% above the US average here (BEA goods price index 105.2).
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Estimated cost for 10 windows in Modesto, CA, standard level
$8,250 to $12,700
About $823 to $1,272 per window before permits. Labor is about 29% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $5,700 | $9,200 |
| Labor | $2,550 | $3,500 |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 |
| Total | $8,250 | $12,700 |
Cost breakdown for 10 windows in Modesto, CA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $3,050 | $7,450 | $11,800 | 71% |
| Labor | $1,800 | $3,000 | $4,250 | 29% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 | $0 | 0% |
| Total | $4,850 | $10,500 | $16,100 | 100% |
What is behind the Modesto number
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 3 trades: glaziers at 50%, carpenters at 40%, general maintenance and repair workers at 10%. Weighted together, Modesto wages are 1.13 times the national level. Labor makes up about 29% of the midpoint estimate (27% at national prices).
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Modesto metro is 105.2 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 10 windows comes to $7,450, compared with $7,100 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (104.1) and land at $0 to $0.
Climate in Modesto: timing your windows job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Modesto City Co Ap (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
September through May is the stretch where exterior installation runs into the fewest weather problems in Modesto (9 of 12 months). June, July and August have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
Modesto gets about 12 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are January, February and December (2.6 inches in January). Inside the workable window, September and October are the driest, at 0.1 and 0.6 inches. The station averages about 90 days a year at 90°F or above.
Does the season change the price? Probably, but we do not have a sourced seasonal price curve, so the estimator shows a year-round figure and does not adjust by month. When you collect quotes, ask whether scheduling in a slower month gets a better rate.
| Month | Avg high °F | Avg low °F | Precip (in) | For this job |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 56 | 39 | 2.6 | Workable |
| Feb | 62 | 42 | 2.2 | Workable |
| Mar | 68 | 45 | 1.8 | Workable |
| Apr | 74 | 48 | 1.0 | Workable |
| May | 82 | 54 | 0.7 | Workable |
| Jun | 90 | 59 | 0.1 | Hot |
| Jul | 95 | 63 | 0.0 | Hot |
| Aug | 94 | 62 | 0.0 | Hot |
| Sep | 89 | 59 | 0.1 | Workable |
| Oct | 79 | 52 | 0.6 | Workable |
| Nov | 66 | 43 | 1.1 | Workable |
| Dec | 56 | 39 | 2.2 | Workable |
Modesto labor market for windows
Wages are the part of this estimate that changes most from town to town. 3 trades carry the job here, and each is compared with its US median. The weighted result for Modesto is 1.13 times the national level.
For glaziers (47-2121, weighted 50%) the local median is $28.92 an hour, which is 5% above the national $27.44. The middle half of them earn between $23.76 and $35.39 an hour. BLS counts 80 of them working in the area, 4.1 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 3.8), so the local bench is about average.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 40%) the local median is $35.45 an hour, which is 22% above the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $28.52 and $40.15 an hour. BLS counts 1,430 of them working in the area, 73.2 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is deeper than average.
General maintenance and repair workers (49-9071), 10% of the weighting: a median of $28.68 an hour, 20% above the US median of $23.84. The middle half of them earn between $22.72 and $35.65 an hour. About 1,660 work in the metro. That is 85.0 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 98.4 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the glaziers on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($35.39 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $310. At the 25th percentile ($23.76) it shrinks by about $250. The total moves by 3.0% or 2.4%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 195,230 jobs in the Modesto area. That makes it the 117th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.13% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glaziers (47-2121) | 50% | $23.76 | $28.92 | $35.39 | $27.44 | 1.05 | metro |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 40% | $28.52 | $35.45 | $40.15 | $29.12 | 1.22 | metro |
| General maintenance and repair workers (49-9071) | 10% | $22.72 | $28.68 | $35.65 | $23.84 | 1.20 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.13 | |||||
Why two Modesto quotes can differ
Frame material
Vinyl windows run $350-$1,500 each installed, fiberglass $400-$2,000, composite $400-$2,300, and wood $800-$3,800 (HomeGuide).
Window type
Single-hung and picture windows are cheapest; bay and bow windows can reach $3,000-$8,000+.
Count
Replacing 10 to 15 windows runs $4,500-$22,500; at 25 windows it is $11,250-$37,500.
Related projects, priced for Modesto
Because every project leans on different trades, Modesto's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, vinyl siding runs +14% and front door +10%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Patio door | 1 door | $650 – $6,650 | +11% |
| Front door | 1 door | $570 – $2,700 | +10% |
| Storm door | 1 door | $400 – $1,050 | +12% |
| Vinyl siding | 2,100 sq ft of wall | $9,600 – $28,800 | +14% |
| Garage door | 1 door | $780 – $4,050 | +10% |
Modesto: what basic, standard and premium work costs
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Modesto wages and prices. They overlap on purpose: a good standard job and a modest premium job can cost the same. The grid below prices the same bands at 4 common sizes.
Basic
$4,850 to $9,350
Standard vinyl single-hung, same openings
Standard
$8,250 to $12,700
Mid-grade vinyl or composite, a few larger units
Premium
$11,600 to $16,100
Fiberglass or wood, large or custom sizes
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| a few windows (5 windows) | $2,450 – $4,700 | $4,100 – $6,350 | $5,800 – $8,050 |
| small house (10 windows) | $4,850 – $9,350 | $8,250 – $12,700 | $11,600 – $16,100 |
| average house (15 windows) | $7,300 – $14,000 | $12,300 – $19,100 | $17,400 – $24,100 |
| whole house (25 windows) | $12,200 – $23,400 | $20,600 – $31,800 | $29,000 – $40,200 |
Is Modesto cheap or dear? The local comparison
Contractors rarely work more than an hour or two from home, so the neighboring metros set a rough ceiling and floor for your quotes. Midpoints for 10 windows range from $10,400 to $11,100 across Modesto and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Modesto, CAthis page | $4,850 – $16,100 | $10,500 | |
| Stockton, CA30 miles | $4,850 – $16,000 | $10,400 | −1% |
| Merced, CA30 miles | $4,900 – $16,200 | $10,600 | +1% |
| San Jose, CA50 miles | $5,250 – $17,000 | $11,100 | +6% |
| Santa Cruz, CA65 miles | $4,850 – $16,100 | $10,500 | level |
| Vallejo, CA70 miles | $4,950 – $16,300 | $10,700 | +2% |
| California (statewide) | $4,950 – $16,400 | $10,700 | +2% |
| United States | $4,500 – $15,000 | $9,750 | −7% |
Across 300 US metros, Modesto comes in at #31 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $11,800; the cheapest is Laredo, TX at $8,350 (midpoints, 10 windows). Statewide, Modesto is 2% below the California figure.
Other California metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA | 6,271,560 jobs | $4,950 – $16,400 | $10,700 | +2% |
| San Francisco, CA | 2,373,920 jobs | $5,350 – $17,300 | $11,300 | +8% |
| Riverside, CA | 1,716,760 jobs | $4,700 – $15,600 | $10,100 | −3% |
| San Diego, CA | 1,538,060 jobs | $5,000 – $16,500 | $10,800 | +3% |
| San Jose, CA | 1,134,970 jobs | $5,250 – $17,000 | $11,100 | +6% |
| Sacramento, CA | 1,080,590 jobs | $4,900 – $16,200 | $10,500 | +1% |
Cities with a workforce like Modesto's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Modesto against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Savannah, GA | 198,360 jobs | $4,050 – $13,700 | $8,850 | −15% |
| Corpus Christi, TX | 192,580 jobs | $4,000 – $13,600 | $8,800 | −16% |
| Manchester, NH | 199,560 jobs | $4,500 – $14,800 | $9,650 | −8% |
| Boulder, CO | 192,390 jobs | $4,450 – $14,800 | $9,600 | −8% |
Get 3 local quotes
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Detailed window replacement report for Modesto, CA, $9
Multi-page report for Modesto, CA: low, typical and high cost, a line-item breakdown of materials and labor by trade, permit notes, the best months to schedule, a quote comparison sheet, red flags, questions for contractors, checklists and every source. Save your estimate above, preview page 1 free, and unlock the full report for $9 one-time, or get every report with CostLocal Pro.
Window replacement in Modesto: your questions
+How much does it cost to replace windows in Modesto?
For 10 windows, expect $4,850 to $16,100 in the Modesto area. A standard-spec job lands at $8,250 to $12,700. Small jobs usually cost more per window and large ones less.
+What is the price per window for windows in Modesto?
About $486 to $1,608 per window for materials and labor, plus $0 to $0 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $450 to $1,500.
+Is windows cheaper in Modesto or Stockton?
Stockton is 30 miles away. The midpoint for 10 windows there is $10,400, which is 1% less than Modesto ($10,500). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Modesto?
About 29% at the midpoint, or $3,000 out of $10,500. Materials are 71% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 27%.
+What would average house (15 windows) cost in Modesto?
$7,300 to $24,100. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does windows need a permit in Modesto?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $0 to $0 for fees in the Modesto area (our national range of $0 to $0 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Modesto expensive for windows compared with the rest of California?
Modesto is 2% below the California statewide estimate ($10,700 at the midpoint). We cover 23 metros in California; see the state page to compare them.
+What do glaziers earn in Modesto?
The BLS median is $28.92 an hour in the Modesto area, compared with $27.44 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $23.76 to $35.39.
+What do basic and premium windows work cost in Modesto?
For 10 windows, basic work runs $4,850 to $9,350 and premium work $11,600 to $16,100. Basic means: standard vinyl single-hung, same openings. Premium means: fiberglass or wood, large or custom sizes.
+When is the best time to replace windows in Modesto?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are September through May. September and October are typically the driest of those months. Local contractors' schedules matter as much as the weather, so book early for the busy months.
Window replacement near Modesto
Where these numbers come from
Base prices are national ranges from the sources below. We scale labor by local BLS wages, materials by BEA goods prices and permits by the BEA all-items price level. Full method on the methodology page.
- HomeGuide: How Much Does Window Replacement Cost? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- HomeGuide: 2026 Building Permit Costs | Fees & Cost Calculator (accessed November 4, 2026)
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025
- BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals, 1991-2020
Note on derived figures: Materials = 65% of the low installed price and 75% of the high one, from HomeGuide's statement that the window unit is 65-75% of replacement cost.