Fresno CA 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)
Fresno, CA
California · Population: 543,615
- Median HH Income$66,804
- Median Home Price$391,442
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
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
Fresno
543,615
Fresno +
Modesto
218,614
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fresno
N/A
Modesto
N/A
Median Age
Fresno
32.4
Fresno +
Modesto
35.4
Foreign Born
Fresno
18.9%
Fresno +
Modesto
18.7%
White
Fresno
38.0%
Modesto
50.8%
Modesto +
Black
Fresno
6.7%
Fresno +
Modesto
4.7%
Asian
Fresno
14.2%
Fresno +
Modesto
7.4%
Hispanic
Fresno
50.5%
Fresno +
Modesto
43.9%
Spanish at Home
Fresno
N/A
Modesto
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 543,615 | 218,614 | Fresno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 35.4 | Fresno + |
| Foreign Born | 18.9% | 18.7% | Fresno + |
| White | 38.0% | 50.8% | Modesto + |
| Black | 6.7% | 4.7% | Fresno + |
| Asian | 14.2% | 7.4% | Fresno + |
| Hispanic | 50.5% | 43.9% | Fresno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fresno
$66,804
Modesto
$77,899
Modesto +
Per Capita Income
Fresno
$31,012
Modesto
$34,656
Modesto +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fresno
$77,230
Modesto
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Fresno
8.6%
Modesto
7.3%
Modesto +
Poverty Rate
Fresno
20.9%
Modesto
13.0%
Modesto +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fresno
24.9%
Fresno +
Modesto
20.3%
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,804 | $77,899 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,012 | $34,656 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 7.3% | Modesto + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 13.0% | Modesto + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 20.3% | Fresno + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fresno
$391,442
Fresno +
Modesto
$447,353
Homeownership Rate
Fresno
49.7%
Modesto
58.4%
Modesto +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $391,442 | $447,353 | Fresno + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 58.4% | Modesto + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
503
Modesto
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
2388
Modesto
2388
Tie
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 503 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2388 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
37.5%
Modesto
36.2%
Modesto +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
12.7%
Modesto
12.1%
Modesto +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fresno
19.1%
Modesto
19.0%
Modesto +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fresno
15.3%
Modesto
13.0%
Modesto +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fresno
14.1%
Fresno +
Modesto
16.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fresno
13.8%
Modesto
13.7%
Modesto +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 36.2% | Modesto + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 12.1% | Modesto + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 19.0% | Modesto + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 13.0% | Modesto + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 16.5% | Fresno + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 13.7% | Modesto + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
64.2°F
Modesto
63.7°F
Modesto +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
12.8 in
Fresno +
Modesto
13.1 in
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.2°F | 63.7°F | Modesto + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | 13.1 in | Fresno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fresno
7.9 µg/m³
Modesto
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fresno
75.0%
Modesto
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fresno
23.7 min
Fresno +
Modesto
30.5 min
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 30.5 min | Fresno + |
Which City is Right for You?
Modesto leads in median household income at $77,899, while fresno offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $391,442. On public safety, Modesto is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Fresno. Modesto has a lower unemployment rate at 7.3%, and Modesto has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Modesto scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
Compare More Cities
Fresno, CA vs New York, NYFresno, CA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Fresno, CAFresno, CA vs Houston, TXFresno, CA vs Phoenix, AZFresno, CA vs Philadelphia, PA