Gresham OR 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)
Gresham, OR
Oregon · Population: 112,818
- Median HH Income$73,608
- Median Home Price$472,119
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+23.6%
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
Gresham
112,818
Modesto
218,614
Modesto +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gresham
N/A
Modesto
N/A
Median Age
Gresham
37.2
Modesto
35.4
Modesto +
Foreign Born
Gresham
16.5%
Modesto
18.7%
Modesto +
White
Gresham
67.7%
Gresham +
Modesto
50.8%
Black
Gresham
4.4%
Modesto
4.7%
Modesto +
Asian
Gresham
5.7%
Modesto
7.4%
Modesto +
Hispanic
Gresham
21.1%
Modesto
43.9%
Modesto +
Spanish at Home
Gresham
N/A
Modesto
N/A
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,818 | 218,614 | Modesto + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 35.4 | Modesto + |
| Foreign Born | 16.5% | 18.7% | Modesto + |
| White | 67.7% | 50.8% | Gresham + |
| Black | 4.4% | 4.7% | Modesto + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 7.4% | Modesto + |
| Hispanic | 21.1% | 43.9% | Modesto + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gresham
$73,608
Modesto
$77,899
Modesto +
Per Capita Income
Gresham
$35,390
Gresham +
Modesto
$34,656
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gresham
$63,691
Modesto
$77,230
Modesto +
Unemployment Rate
Gresham
5.3%
Gresham +
Modesto
7.3%
Poverty Rate
Gresham
12.7%
Gresham +
Modesto
13.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Gresham
23.6%
Gresham +
Modesto
20.3%
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,608 | $77,899 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,390 | $34,656 | Gresham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $77,230 | Modesto + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 7.3% | Gresham + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.7% | 13.0% | Gresham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.6% | 20.3% | Gresham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gresham
$472,119
Modesto
$447,353
Modesto +
Homeownership Rate
Gresham
56.1%
Modesto
58.4%
Modesto +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $472,119 | $447,353 | Modesto + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.1% | 58.4% | Modesto + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gresham
355
Gresham +
Modesto
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gresham
3001
Modesto
2388
Modesto +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 503 | Gresham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 2388 | Modesto + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gresham
31.2%
Gresham +
Modesto
36.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gresham
11.3%
Gresham +
Modesto
12.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gresham
20.4%
Modesto
19.0%
Modesto +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gresham
11.0%
Gresham +
Modesto
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gresham
16.2%
Gresham +
Modesto
16.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gresham
15.3%
Modesto
13.7%
Modesto +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 36.2% | Gresham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 12.1% | Gresham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 19.0% | Modesto + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 13.0% | Gresham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 16.5% | Gresham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 13.7% | Modesto + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gresham
N/A
Modesto
63.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gresham
N/A
Modesto
13.1 in
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 63.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 13.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gresham
9.0 µg/m³
Modesto
7.9 µg/m³
Modesto +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gresham
55.0%
Modesto
75.0%
Modesto +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Modesto + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Modesto + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gresham
28.8 min
Gresham +
Modesto
30.5 min
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.8 min | 30.5 min | Gresham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Modesto leads in median household income at $77,899, while modesto offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $447,353. On public safety, Gresham is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Modesto. Gresham has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Modesto has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gresham scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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