Modesto CA vs Newark NJ — 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%
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Modesto
218,614
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Modesto
N/A
Newark
N/A
Median Age
Modesto
35.4
Newark
34.8
Newark +
Foreign Born
Modesto
18.7%
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
White
Modesto
50.8%
Modesto +
Newark
16.5%
Black
Modesto
4.7%
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Asian
Modesto
7.4%
Modesto +
Newark
1.9%
Hispanic
Modesto
43.9%
Modesto +
Newark
37.2%
Spanish at Home
Modesto
N/A
Newark
N/A
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,614 | 307,188 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 34.8 | Newark + |
| Foreign Born | 18.7% | 34.9% | Newark + |
| White | 50.8% | 16.5% | Modesto + |
| Black | 4.7% | 46.7% | Newark + |
| Asian | 7.4% | 1.9% | Modesto + |
| Hispanic | 43.9% | 37.2% | Modesto + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Modesto
$77,899
Modesto +
Newark
$48,416
Per Capita Income
Modesto
$34,656
Modesto +
Newark
$25,509
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Modesto
$77,230
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Unemployment Rate
Modesto
7.3%
Modesto +
Newark
10.9%
Poverty Rate
Modesto
13.0%
Modesto +
Newark
24.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Modesto
20.3%
Modesto +
Newark
17.4%
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,899 | $48,416 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,656 | $25,509 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,416 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.3% | 10.9% | Modesto + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.0% | 24.7% | Modesto + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.3% | 17.4% | Modesto + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Modesto
$447,353
Modesto +
Newark
$482,675
Homeownership Rate
Modesto
58.4%
Modesto +
Newark
24.1%
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $447,353 | $482,675 | Modesto + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 24.1% | Modesto + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
503
Newark
218
Newark +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
2388
Newark
1426
Newark +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 218 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1426 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Modesto
36.2%
Newark
35.9%
Newark +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Modesto
12.1%
Modesto +
Newark
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Modesto
19.0%
Modesto +
Newark
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.0%
Modesto +
Newark
23.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Modesto
16.5%
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.7%
Modesto +
Newark
18.2%
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 35.9% | Newark + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 14.6% | Modesto + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 20.0% | Modesto + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 23.4% | Modesto + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 14.3% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 18.2% | Modesto + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
63.7°F
Newark
54.9°F
Newark +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
13.1 in
Modesto +
Newark
46.3 in
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.7°F | 54.9°F | Newark + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.1 in | 46.3 in | Modesto + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Modesto
7.9 µg/m³
Modesto +
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Modesto
75.0%
Newark
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Modesto + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Modesto
30.5 min
Modesto +
Newark
35.9 min
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.5 min | 35.9 min | Modesto + |
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, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 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, Newark scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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