Fort Worth TX 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)
Fort Worth, TX
Texas · Population: 941,311
- Median HH Income$76,602
- Median Home Price$299,655
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+31.7%
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
Fort Worth
941,311
Fort Worth +
Modesto
218,614
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Worth
N/A
Modesto
N/A
Median Age
Fort Worth
33.4
Fort Worth +
Modesto
35.4
Foreign Born
Fort Worth
17.0%
Modesto
18.7%
Modesto +
White
Fort Worth
47.7%
Modesto
50.8%
Modesto +
Black
Fort Worth
19.5%
Fort Worth +
Modesto
4.7%
Asian
Fort Worth
5.2%
Modesto
7.4%
Modesto +
Hispanic
Fort Worth
34.6%
Modesto
43.9%
Modesto +
Spanish at Home
Fort Worth
N/A
Modesto
N/A
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 941,311 | 218,614 | Fort Worth + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 35.4 | Fort Worth + |
| Foreign Born | 17.0% | 18.7% | Modesto + |
| White | 47.7% | 50.8% | Modesto + |
| Black | 19.5% | 4.7% | Fort Worth + |
| Asian | 5.2% | 7.4% | Modesto + |
| Hispanic | 34.6% | 43.9% | Modesto + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Worth
$76,602
Modesto
$77,899
Modesto +
Per Capita Income
Fort Worth
$37,157
Fort Worth +
Modesto
$34,656
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Worth
$63,758
Modesto
$77,230
Modesto +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Worth
4.9%
Fort Worth +
Modesto
7.3%
Poverty Rate
Fort Worth
12.9%
Fort Worth +
Modesto
13.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Worth
31.7%
Fort Worth +
Modesto
20.3%
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,602 | $77,899 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,157 | $34,656 | Fort Worth + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Modesto + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 7.3% | Fort Worth + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.9% | 13.0% | Fort Worth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.7% | 20.3% | Fort Worth + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Worth
$299,655
Fort Worth +
Modesto
$447,353
Homeownership Rate
Fort Worth
56.8%
Modesto
58.4%
Modesto +
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $299,655 | $447,353 | Fort Worth + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.8% | 58.4% | Modesto + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Worth
442
Fort Worth +
Modesto
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Worth
2339
Fort Worth +
Modesto
2388
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 503 | Fort Worth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2388 | Fort Worth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
34.6%
Fort Worth +
Modesto
36.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
12.2%
Modesto
12.1%
Modesto +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Worth
18.5%
Fort Worth +
Modesto
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
20.0%
Modesto
13.0%
Modesto +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
16.9%
Modesto
16.5%
Modesto +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
13.8%
Modesto
13.7%
Modesto +
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.6% | 36.2% | Fort Worth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 12.1% | Modesto + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 19.0% | Fort Worth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 13.0% | Modesto + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 16.5% | Modesto + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 13.7% | Modesto + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Worth
65.8°F
Modesto
63.7°F
Modesto +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Worth
37.8 in
Modesto
13.1 in
Modesto +
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.8°F | 63.7°F | Modesto + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 13.1 in | Modesto + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Worth
9.2 µg/m³
Modesto
7.9 µg/m³
Modesto +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Worth
55.0%
Modesto
75.0%
Modesto +
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Modesto + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Modesto + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Worth
29.0 min
Fort Worth +
Modesto
30.5 min
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.0 min | 30.5 min | Fort Worth + |
Which City is Right for You?
Modesto leads in median household income at $77,899, while fort Worth offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $299,655. On public safety, Fort Worth is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Modesto. Fort Worth has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Modesto has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Worth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.6%.
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