Modesto CA vs New Braunfels TX — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Modesto, CA
California · Population: 218,614
- Median HH Income$77,899
- Median Home Price$447,353
- Unemployment7.3%
- Bachelor's+20.3%
New Braunfels, TX
Texas · Population: 267
- Median HH Income$74,643
- Median Home Price$352,129
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+1.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Modesto
218,614
Modesto +
New Braunfels
267
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Modesto
N/A
New Braunfels
N/A
Median Age
Modesto
35.4
Modesto +
New Braunfels
39.4
Foreign Born
Modesto
18.7%
Modesto +
New Braunfels
8.2%
White
Modesto
50.8%
New Braunfels
84.3%
New Braunfels +
Black
Modesto
4.7%
Modesto +
New Braunfels
0.0%
Asian
Modesto
7.4%
Modesto +
New Braunfels
0.0%
Hispanic
Modesto
43.9%
Modesto +
New Braunfels
15.7%
Spanish at Home
Modesto
N/A
New Braunfels
N/A
| Metric | Modesto, CA | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,614 | 267 | Modesto + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 39.4 | Modesto + |
| Foreign Born | 18.7% | 8.2% | Modesto + |
| White | 50.8% | 84.3% | New Braunfels + |
| Black | 4.7% | 0.0% | Modesto + |
| Asian | 7.4% | 0.0% | Modesto + |
| Hispanic | 43.9% | 15.7% | Modesto + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Modesto
$77,899
Modesto +
New Braunfels
$74,643
Per Capita Income
Modesto
$34,656
Modesto +
New Braunfels
$21,360
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Modesto
$77,230
Modesto +
New Braunfels
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Modesto
7.3%
New Braunfels
N/A
Poverty Rate
Modesto
13.0%
New Braunfels
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Modesto
20.3%
Modesto +
New Braunfels
1.8%
| Metric | Modesto, CA | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,899 | $74,643 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,656 | $21,360 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | Modesto + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.3% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 13.0% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.3% | 1.8% | Modesto + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Modesto
$447,353
New Braunfels
$352,129
New Braunfels +
Homeownership Rate
Modesto
58.4%
New Braunfels
90.8%
New Braunfels +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $447,353 | $352,129 | New Braunfels + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 90.8% | New Braunfels + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
503
New Braunfels
442
New Braunfels +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
2388
New Braunfels
2339
New Braunfels +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 442 | New Braunfels + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2339 | New Braunfels + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Modesto
36.2%
New Braunfels
34.6%
New Braunfels +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Modesto
12.1%
New Braunfels
10.6%
New Braunfels +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Modesto
19.0%
New Braunfels
16.0%
New Braunfels +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.0%
Modesto +
New Braunfels
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Modesto
16.5%
Modesto +
New Braunfels
19.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.7%
New Braunfels
11.0%
New Braunfels +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 34.6% | New Braunfels + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 10.6% | New Braunfels + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 16.0% | New Braunfels + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 15.2% | Modesto + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 19.1% | Modesto + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 11.0% | New Braunfels + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
63.7°F
Modesto +
New Braunfels
67.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
13.1 in
Modesto +
New Braunfels
34.0 in
| Metric | Modesto, CA | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.7°F | 67.4°F | Modesto + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.1 in | 34.0 in | Modesto + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Modesto
7.9 µg/m³
Modesto +
New Braunfels
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Modesto
75.0%
Modesto +
New Braunfels
55.0%
| Metric | Modesto, CA | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Modesto + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Modesto + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Modesto
30.5 min
New Braunfels
19.6 min
New Braunfels +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.5 min | 19.6 min | New Braunfels + |
Which City is Right for You?
Modesto leads in median household income at $77,899, while new Braunfels offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $352,129. On public safety, New Braunfels is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Modesto. Modesto has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Braunfels scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.6%.
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