Modesto, California
Cost of living, housing, income, commute, climate, and safety — compiled for relocators researching Modesto.
MapsToIt planning snapshot
How much does it cost to live in Modesto?
Modesto planning snapshot: population 220,592, housing index 128 (above the U.S. housing-cost baseline), median home $415,600, median rent $1,609, and income near $77,899. Expect 93°F summer highs, 40°F winter lows, and about 28-minute one-way commutes. Violent-offense rates run about 811.9 per 100k (catalog avg 586.6).
Crime figures may use an older source vintage than housing and income on this page.
- Housing cost index
- 128U.S. avg 100
- Median home value
- $415,600U.S. $303,400
- Median rent
- $1,609U.S. $1,348
- Median income
- $77,899U.S. $78,538
- Unemployment
- 7.0%U.S. 4.2%
- Avg commute
- 28 minCatalog avg 25 min
- Violent crime
- 811.9per 100k · avg 586.6
- Summer high
- 93°FCatalog avg 87°F
Key figures
Each metric shows how Modesto compares with the U.S. baseline (ACS/BLS nationals where available; catalog-city averages for crime, climate, and commute). Income, housing, population, and crime are for the incorporated city (city limits), not the broader metro/MSA — unemployment is county-level (BLS LAUS).
- Population
- 220,592City limits · Census PEP 2024 estimate
As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024 - Median household income
- $77,899Incorporated place (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-yearNear U.S. avg ($78,538)U.S. $78,538 - Housing cost index
- 128ACS home+rent vs U.S. (100 = avg)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year28% above U.S. avgU.S. 100 - Median home value
- $415,600City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year37% above U.S. avgU.S. $303,400 - Median rent
- $1,609City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year19% above U.S. avgU.S. $1,348 - Unemployment
- 7.0%County LAUS · not city-only
As of 2026-09-10 · July 20262.8 pts above U.S. avgU.S. 4.2 pts - Avg commute
- 28 min12% above U.S. avgU.S. 25 min
- Walk Score
- 44Near U.S. avg (45)U.S. 45
- Violent crime rate
- 811.9annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)38% above U.S. avgU.S. 586.6 - Property crime rate
- 3317.1annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)7% above U.S. avgU.S. 3087.9 - Summer high
- 93°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals6.0°F above U.S. avgU.S. 87°F
- Winter low
- 40°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals6.0°F above U.S. avgU.S. 34°F
- Annual rainfall
- 12.3 inAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals63% below U.S. avgU.S. 33 in
- Sunny days
- 312As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals16% above U.S. avgU.S. 268
Population trend
Modesto grew 8.5% from 203,301 in 2010 to 220,592 in 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024). Playback steps monthly between annual Census PEP estimates.
Is Modesto expensive compared to the U.S. average?
Compared with the U.S. average, Modesto runs 28 points higher on MapsToIt's ACS housing index. Use that single number as a quick filter, then dig into home and rent cells for the budget you actually need.
- Housing cost index 128 (U.S. 100)
- Median home $415,600 vs U.S. $303,400
- Median rent $1,609 vs U.S. $1,348
How much does housing cost in Modesto?
Budget first around $1,609/month rent or $415,600 purchase prices — both are MapsToIt ACS medians, not listing ask averages. National ACS medians are $1,348 rent and $303,400 home value for context.
- Median home value $415,600
- Median rent $1,609/month
- Median household income $77,899
What is the job market like in Modesto?
Labor-market context for Modesto: unemployment 7.0% and median income $77,899. Those are BLS LAUS (county) and ACS figures — industry mix still matters more than the headline rate alone.
- Unemployment 7.0% (U.S. 4.2%)
- Median income $77,899
How long is the typical commute in Modesto?
Plan on roughly 28 minutes each way in Modesto. Walk Score estimates around 44 shape how car-dependent daily errands feel. Compare that with the 25-minute catalog average before you lock a neighborhood.
- 28 minutes average one-way
- Walk Score 44/100
Is Modesto safer than similar U.S. cities?
Modesto's FBI-derived violent rate (~811.9/100k) sits at or above the average of mapped MapsToIt cities. Use the figure as a screening signal, then verify the blocks you would actually live on.
- Violent 811.9 per 100k
- Property 3317.1 per 100k
What is the climate like year-round in Modesto?
Modesto's climate profile: 93°F summer peaks, 40°F winter mornings, 12.3" annual rainfall, and 312 sunny days — from the nearest NOAA normals station.
- Summer high 93°F
- Winter low 40°F
- 12.3 in rain · 312 sunny days
Pacific weather, wildfire seasons, and housing scarcity dominate relocation tradeoffs. Roughly 312 sunny days a year give outdoor routines unusual calendar reliability. Average one-way commute time is about 28 minutes, and Walk Score estimates land around 44/100. Unemployment near 7.0% is elevated versus many peer cities, so industry mix matters more in a move decision. FBI CDE violent-offense rates run comparatively high (~811.9 per 100k annualized), so block-by-block due diligence is especially important.
About 220,592 people live in Modesto, CA. With median income around $77,899 and a cost index of 128, the market reads above the national housing-cost baseline. Entry home prices around $415,600 still look attainable compared with coastal metros.
Modesto is compact enough that a single wrong neighborhood choice is easy to feel day to day — visit at commute hour before signing. Figures on this page are merged from Census ACS, BLS LAUS, FBI Crime Data Explorer, and NOAA Climate Normals — use them to compare Modesto with nearby alternatives before you relocate.
Nearby & similar cities
Continue researching with these internal links — each page is a full data profile.
Sources
- Census / ACS: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-year (Modesto city, 1600000US0648354) — As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year
- BLS: BLS LAUS · Stanislaus County, July 2026 — As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026
- Crime: FBI CIUS Table 8 (2019) city offenses known to law enforcement — rates per 100k; CDE API unavailable at enrich time — As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)
- Climate: NOAA 1991–2020 Monthly Normals (USW00023258 MODESTO CITY CO AP) — As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals
- Population trend: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024) — As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024
Catalog refreshed 2026-09-10