Memphis TN 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)
Memphis, TN
Tennessee · Population: 629,063
- Median HH Income$51,211
- Median Home Price$147,306
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+28.2%
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
Memphis
629,063
Memphis +
Modesto
218,614
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Memphis
N/A
Modesto
N/A
Median Age
Memphis
34.3
Memphis +
Modesto
35.4
Foreign Born
Memphis
7.4%
Modesto
18.7%
Modesto +
White
Memphis
25.0%
Modesto
50.8%
Modesto +
Black
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
Modesto
4.7%
Asian
Memphis
1.7%
Modesto
7.4%
Modesto +
Hispanic
Memphis
10.2%
Modesto
43.9%
Modesto +
Spanish at Home
Memphis
N/A
Modesto
N/A
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 629,063 | 218,614 | Memphis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 35.4 | Memphis + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 18.7% | Modesto + |
| White | 25.0% | 50.8% | Modesto + |
| Black | 62.9% | 4.7% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 7.4% | Modesto + |
| Hispanic | 10.2% | 43.9% | Modesto + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Memphis
$51,211
Modesto
$77,899
Modesto +
Per Capita Income
Memphis
$32,314
Modesto
$34,656
Modesto +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Memphis
$59,097
Modesto
$77,230
Modesto +
Unemployment Rate
Memphis
8.3%
Modesto
7.3%
Modesto +
Poverty Rate
Memphis
22.5%
Modesto
13.0%
Modesto +
Bachelor's Degree+
Memphis
28.2%
Memphis +
Modesto
20.3%
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,211 | $77,899 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,314 | $34,656 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $77,230 | Modesto + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 7.3% | Modesto + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 13.0% | Modesto + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.2% | 20.3% | Memphis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
Modesto
$447,353
Homeownership Rate
Memphis
46.0%
Modesto
58.4%
Modesto +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $147,306 | $447,353 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.0% | 58.4% | Modesto + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
639
Modesto
503
Modesto +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
2350
Memphis +
Modesto
2388
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 503 | Modesto + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2388 | Memphis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
42.1%
Modesto
36.2%
Modesto +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
17.6%
Modesto
12.1%
Modesto +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Memphis
20.7%
Modesto
19.0%
Modesto +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Memphis
14.9%
Modesto
13.0%
Modesto +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Memphis
13.5%
Memphis +
Modesto
16.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Memphis
19.9%
Modesto
13.7%
Modesto +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.1% | 36.2% | Modesto + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 12.1% | Modesto + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.7% | 19.0% | Modesto + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 13.0% | Modesto + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 16.5% | Memphis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.9% | 13.7% | Modesto + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
60.9°F
Memphis +
Modesto
63.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
54.9 in
Modesto
13.1 in
Modesto +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 63.7°F | Memphis + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9 in | 13.1 in | Modesto + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Modesto
7.9 µg/m³
Modesto +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Memphis
75.0%
Modesto
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Modesto + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Memphis
22.9 min
Memphis +
Modesto
30.5 min
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.9 min | 30.5 min | Memphis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Modesto leads in median household income at $77,899, while memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, Modesto is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Memphis. 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
Memphis, TN vs New York, NYLos Angeles, CA vs Memphis, TNChicago, IL vs Memphis, TNHouston, TX vs Memphis, TNMemphis, TN vs Phoenix, AZMemphis, TN vs Philadelphia, PA