Jacksonville FL 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)
Jacksonville, FL
Florida · Population: 961,739
- Median HH Income$66,981
- Median Home Price$286,396
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.9%
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
Jacksonville
961,739
Jacksonville +
Modesto
218,614
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jacksonville
N/A
Modesto
N/A
Median Age
Jacksonville
36.4
Modesto
35.4
Modesto +
Foreign Born
Jacksonville
12.2%
Modesto
18.7%
Modesto +
White
Jacksonville
51.2%
Jacksonville +
Modesto
50.8%
Black
Jacksonville
30.1%
Jacksonville +
Modesto
4.7%
Asian
Jacksonville
4.9%
Modesto
7.4%
Modesto +
Hispanic
Jacksonville
12.0%
Modesto
43.9%
Modesto +
Spanish at Home
Jacksonville
N/A
Modesto
N/A
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 961,739 | 218,614 | Jacksonville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 35.4 | Modesto + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 18.7% | Modesto + |
| White | 51.2% | 50.8% | Jacksonville + |
| Black | 30.1% | 4.7% | Jacksonville + |
| Asian | 4.9% | 7.4% | Modesto + |
| Hispanic | 12.0% | 43.9% | Modesto + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jacksonville
$66,981
Modesto
$77,899
Modesto +
Per Capita Income
Jacksonville
$37,269
Jacksonville +
Modesto
$34,656
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jacksonville
$65,328
Modesto
$77,230
Modesto +
Unemployment Rate
Jacksonville
4.6%
Jacksonville +
Modesto
7.3%
Poverty Rate
Jacksonville
15.0%
Modesto
13.0%
Modesto +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jacksonville
31.9%
Jacksonville +
Modesto
20.3%
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,981 | $77,899 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,269 | $34,656 | Jacksonville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $77,230 | Modesto + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 7.3% | Jacksonville + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.0% | 13.0% | Modesto + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.9% | 20.3% | Jacksonville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jacksonville
$286,396
Jacksonville +
Modesto
$447,353
Homeownership Rate
Jacksonville
57.4%
Modesto
58.4%
Modesto +
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $286,396 | $447,353 | Jacksonville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.4% | 58.4% | Modesto + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jacksonville
324
Jacksonville +
Modesto
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jacksonville
1453
Jacksonville +
Modesto
2388
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 503 | Jacksonville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2388 | Jacksonville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
34.8%
Jacksonville +
Modesto
36.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
13.2%
Modesto
12.1%
Modesto +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jacksonville
18.8%
Jacksonville +
Modesto
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
13.9%
Modesto
13.0%
Modesto +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
15.2%
Jacksonville +
Modesto
16.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
14.8%
Modesto
13.7%
Modesto +
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 36.2% | Jacksonville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 12.1% | Modesto + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 19.0% | Jacksonville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 13.0% | Modesto + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 16.5% | Jacksonville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 13.7% | Modesto + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jacksonville
70.2°F
Modesto
63.7°F
Modesto +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jacksonville
50.0 in
Modesto
13.1 in
Modesto +
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 70.2°F | 63.7°F | Modesto + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | 13.1 in | Modesto + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jacksonville
7.2 µg/m³
Jacksonville +
Modesto
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jacksonville
75.0%
Modesto
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Jacksonville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jacksonville
26.0 min
Jacksonville +
Modesto
30.5 min
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.0 min | 30.5 min | Jacksonville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Modesto leads in median household income at $77,899, while jacksonville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $286,396. On public safety, Jacksonville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Modesto. Jacksonville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Jacksonville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Jacksonville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.8%.
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