Modesto CA vs New York NY — 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 York, NY
New York · Population: 8,516,202
- Median HH Income$79,713
- Median Home Price$816,078
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+41.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Modesto
218,614
New York
8,516,202
New York +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Modesto
N/A
New York
N/A
Median Age
Modesto
35.4
Modesto +
New York
38.0
Foreign Born
Modesto
18.7%
New York
36.5%
New York +
White
Modesto
50.8%
Modesto +
New York
35.9%
Black
Modesto
4.7%
New York
22.7%
New York +
Asian
Modesto
7.4%
New York
14.6%
New York +
Hispanic
Modesto
43.9%
Modesto +
New York
28.4%
Spanish at Home
Modesto
N/A
New York
N/A
| Metric | Modesto, CA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,614 | 8,516,202 | New York + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 38.0 | Modesto + |
| Foreign Born | 18.7% | 36.5% | New York + |
| White | 50.8% | 35.9% | Modesto + |
| Black | 4.7% | 22.7% | New York + |
| Asian | 7.4% | 14.6% | New York + |
| Hispanic | 43.9% | 28.4% | Modesto + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Modesto
$77,899
New York
$79,713
New York +
Per Capita Income
Modesto
$34,656
New York
$50,776
New York +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Modesto
$77,230
New York
$77,425
New York +
Unemployment Rate
Modesto
7.3%
Modesto +
New York
7.7%
Poverty Rate
Modesto
13.0%
Modesto +
New York
17.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Modesto
20.3%
New York
41.0%
New York +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,899 | $79,713 | New York + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,656 | $50,776 | New York + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,425 | New York + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.3% | 7.7% | Modesto + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.0% | 17.4% | Modesto + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.3% | 41.0% | New York + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Modesto
$447,353
Modesto +
New York
$816,078
Homeownership Rate
Modesto
58.4%
Modesto +
New York
32.8%
| Metric | Modesto, CA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $447,353 | $816,078 | Modesto + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 32.8% | Modesto + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
503
New York
434
New York +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
2388
New York
1736
New York +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 434 | New York + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1736 | New York + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Modesto
36.2%
New York
25.1%
New York +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Modesto
12.1%
New York
11.9%
New York +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Modesto
19.0%
New York
15.4%
New York +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.0%
New York
10.6%
New York +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Modesto
16.5%
Modesto +
New York
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.7%
New York
11.4%
New York +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 25.1% | New York + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 11.9% | New York + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 15.4% | New York + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 10.6% | New York + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.9% | Modesto + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 11.4% | New York + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
63.7°F
New York
55.4°F
New York +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
13.1 in
Modesto +
New York
46.6 in
| Metric | Modesto, CA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.7°F | 55.4°F | New York + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.1 in | 46.6 in | Modesto + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Modesto
7.9 µg/m³
Modesto +
New York
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Modesto
75.0%
New York
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Modesto, CA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Modesto + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Modesto
30.5 min
Modesto +
New York
44.2 min
| Metric | Modesto, CA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.5 min | 44.2 min | Modesto + |
Which City is Right for You?
New York leads in median household income at $79,713, while modesto offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $447,353. On public safety, New York is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Modesto. 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, New York scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.1%.
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