Atlanta GA vs Modesto CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Atlanta, GA
Georgia · Population: 499,287
- Median HH Income$81,938
- Median Home Price$387,752
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+58.4%
Modesto, CA
California · Population: 218,614
- Median HH Income$77,899
- Median Home Price$447,353
- Unemployment7.3%
- Bachelor's+20.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Atlanta
499,287
Atlanta +
Modesto
218,614
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Atlanta
N/A
Modesto
N/A
Median Age
Atlanta
34.0
Atlanta +
Modesto
35.4
Foreign Born
Atlanta
8.6%
Modesto
18.7%
Modesto +
White
Atlanta
39.9%
Modesto
50.8%
Modesto +
Black
Atlanta
46.9%
Atlanta +
Modesto
4.7%
Asian
Atlanta
5.0%
Modesto
7.4%
Modesto +
Hispanic
Atlanta
6.3%
Modesto
43.9%
Modesto +
Spanish at Home
Atlanta
N/A
Modesto
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 218,614 | Atlanta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 35.4 | Atlanta + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 18.7% | Modesto + |
| White | 39.9% | 50.8% | Modesto + |
| Black | 46.9% | 4.7% | Atlanta + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 7.4% | Modesto + |
| Hispanic | 6.3% | 43.9% | Modesto + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Atlanta
$81,938
Atlanta +
Modesto
$77,899
Per Capita Income
Atlanta
$64,063
Atlanta +
Modesto
$34,656
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Atlanta
$57,405
Modesto
$77,230
Modesto +
Unemployment Rate
Atlanta
5.9%
Atlanta +
Modesto
7.3%
Poverty Rate
Atlanta
17.9%
Modesto
13.0%
Modesto +
Bachelor's Degree+
Atlanta
58.4%
Atlanta +
Modesto
20.3%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,938 | $77,899 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,063 | $34,656 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $77,230 | Modesto + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 7.3% | Atlanta + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 13.0% | Modesto + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.4% | 20.3% | Atlanta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Atlanta
$387,752
Atlanta +
Modesto
$447,353
Homeownership Rate
Atlanta
46.3%
Modesto
58.4%
Modesto +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $387,752 | $447,353 | Atlanta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 58.4% | Modesto + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
392
Atlanta +
Modesto
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
1752
Atlanta +
Modesto
2388
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 503 | Atlanta + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2388 | Atlanta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
29.3%
Atlanta +
Modesto
36.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
10.6%
Atlanta +
Modesto
12.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Atlanta
17.2%
Atlanta +
Modesto
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.3%
Atlanta +
Modesto
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
17.2%
Modesto
16.5%
Modesto +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.1%
Atlanta +
Modesto
13.7%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.3% | 36.2% | Atlanta + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 12.1% | Atlanta + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 19.0% | Atlanta + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 13.0% | Atlanta + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 16.5% | Modesto + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 13.7% | Atlanta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
N/A
Modesto
63.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
51.5 in
Modesto
13.1 in
Modesto +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 63.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5 in | 13.1 in | Modesto + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Atlanta
9.8 µg/m³
Modesto
7.9 µg/m³
Modesto +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Atlanta
55.0%
Modesto
75.0%
Modesto +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Modesto + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Modesto + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Atlanta
28.7 min
Atlanta +
Modesto
30.5 min
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.7 min | 30.5 min | Atlanta + |
Which City is Right for You?
Atlanta leads in median household income at $81,938, while atlanta offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $387,752. On public safety, Atlanta is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Modesto. Atlanta has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Modesto has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Atlanta scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.3%.
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