Denver CO 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)
Denver, CO
Colorado · Population: 713,734
- Median HH Income$91,681
- Median Home Price$541,899
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+55.6%
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
Denver
713,734
Denver +
Modesto
218,614
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Denver
N/A
Modesto
N/A
Median Age
Denver
35.2
Denver +
Modesto
35.4
Foreign Born
Denver
13.9%
Modesto
18.7%
Modesto +
White
Denver
62.9%
Denver +
Modesto
50.8%
Black
Denver
8.8%
Denver +
Modesto
4.7%
Asian
Denver
3.6%
Modesto
7.4%
Modesto +
Hispanic
Denver
27.9%
Modesto
43.9%
Modesto +
Spanish at Home
Denver
N/A
Modesto
N/A
| Metric | Denver, CO | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 713,734 | 218,614 | Denver + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 35.4 | Denver + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 18.7% | Modesto + |
| White | 62.9% | 50.8% | Denver + |
| Black | 8.8% | 4.7% | Denver + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 7.4% | Modesto + |
| Hispanic | 27.9% | 43.9% | Modesto + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Denver
$91,681
Denver +
Modesto
$77,899
Per Capita Income
Denver
$61,202
Denver +
Modesto
$34,656
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Denver
$76,653
Modesto
$77,230
Modesto +
Unemployment Rate
Denver
4.6%
Denver +
Modesto
7.3%
Poverty Rate
Denver
11.2%
Denver +
Modesto
13.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Denver
55.6%
Denver +
Modesto
20.3%
| Metric | Denver, CO | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,681 | $77,899 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Income | $61,202 | $34,656 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $77,230 | Modesto + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 7.3% | Denver + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.2% | 13.0% | Denver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.6% | 20.3% | Denver + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Denver
$541,899
Modesto
$447,353
Modesto +
Homeownership Rate
Denver
49.1%
Modesto
58.4%
Modesto +
| Metric | Denver, CO | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $541,899 | $447,353 | Modesto + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.1% | 58.4% | Modesto + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Denver
512
Modesto
503
Modesto +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Denver
3234
Modesto
2388
Modesto +
| Metric | Denver, CO | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 503 | Modesto + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2388 | Modesto + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Denver
21.6%
Denver +
Modesto
36.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Denver
7.1%
Denver +
Modesto
12.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Denver
15.5%
Denver +
Modesto
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Denver
13.3%
Modesto
13.0%
Modesto +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Denver
25.9%
Modesto
16.5%
Modesto +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Denver
10.2%
Denver +
Modesto
13.7%
| Metric | Denver, CO | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 21.6% | 36.2% | Denver + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 12.1% | Denver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 19.0% | Denver + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 13.0% | Modesto + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 25.9% | 16.5% | Modesto + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 13.7% | Denver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Denver
N/A
Modesto
63.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Denver
17.2 in
Modesto
13.1 in
Modesto +
| Metric | Denver, CO | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 63.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.2 in | 13.1 in | Modesto + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Denver
6.2 µg/m³
Denver +
Modesto
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Denver
75.0%
Modesto
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Denver, CO | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Denver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Denver
27.4 min
Denver +
Modesto
30.5 min
| Metric | Denver, CO | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.4 min | 30.5 min | Denver + |
Which City is Right for You?
Denver leads in median household income at $91,681, while modesto offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $447,353. On public safety, Modesto is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Denver. Denver has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Denver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Denver scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.6%.
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