Modesto CA vs North Las Vegas NV — 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%
North Las Vegas, NV
Nevada · Population: 186,178
- Median HH Income$58,874
- Median Home Price$407,146
- Unemployment9.4%
- Bachelor's+23.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Modesto
218,614
Modesto +
North Las Vegas
186,178
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Modesto
N/A
North Las Vegas
N/A
Median Age
Modesto
35.4
Modesto +
North Las Vegas
39.0
Foreign Born
Modesto
18.7%
North Las Vegas
26.0%
North Las Vegas +
White
Modesto
50.8%
Modesto +
North Las Vegas
43.6%
Black
Modesto
4.7%
North Las Vegas
11.3%
North Las Vegas +
Asian
Modesto
7.4%
North Las Vegas
11.4%
North Las Vegas +
Hispanic
Modesto
43.9%
Modesto +
North Las Vegas
34.6%
Spanish at Home
Modesto
N/A
North Las Vegas
N/A
| Metric | Modesto, CA | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,614 | 186,178 | Modesto + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 39.0 | Modesto + |
| Foreign Born | 18.7% | 26.0% | North Las Vegas + |
| White | 50.8% | 43.6% | Modesto + |
| Black | 4.7% | 11.3% | North Las Vegas + |
| Asian | 7.4% | 11.4% | North Las Vegas + |
| Hispanic | 43.9% | 34.6% | Modesto + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Modesto
$77,899
Modesto +
North Las Vegas
$58,874
Per Capita Income
Modesto
$34,656
North Las Vegas
$35,069
North Las Vegas +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Modesto
$77,230
Modesto +
North Las Vegas
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Modesto
7.3%
Modesto +
North Las Vegas
9.4%
Poverty Rate
Modesto
13.0%
Modesto +
North Las Vegas
16.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Modesto
20.3%
North Las Vegas
23.9%
North Las Vegas +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,899 | $58,874 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,656 | $35,069 | North Las Vegas + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $62,696 | Modesto + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.3% | 9.4% | Modesto + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.0% | 16.8% | Modesto + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.3% | 23.9% | North Las Vegas + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Modesto
$447,353
North Las Vegas
$407,146
North Las Vegas +
Homeownership Rate
Modesto
58.4%
Modesto +
North Las Vegas
41.2%
| Metric | Modesto, CA | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $447,353 | $407,146 | North Las Vegas + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 41.2% | Modesto + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
503
North Las Vegas
460
North Las Vegas +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
2388
Modesto +
North Las Vegas
2417
| Metric | Modesto, CA | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 460 | North Las Vegas + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2417 | Modesto + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Modesto
36.2%
North Las Vegas
33.8%
North Las Vegas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Modesto
12.1%
Modesto +
North Las Vegas
12.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Modesto
19.0%
Modesto +
North Las Vegas
20.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.0%
Modesto +
North Las Vegas
19.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Modesto
16.5%
North Las Vegas
15.6%
North Las Vegas +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.7%
Modesto +
North Las Vegas
16.1%
| Metric | Modesto, CA | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 33.8% | North Las Vegas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 12.2% | Modesto + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 20.7% | Modesto + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 19.6% | Modesto + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 15.6% | North Las Vegas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 16.1% | Modesto + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
63.7°F
Modesto +
North Las Vegas
68.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
13.1 in
North Las Vegas
4.7 in
North Las Vegas +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.7°F | 68.8°F | Modesto + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.1 in | 4.7 in | North Las Vegas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Modesto
7.9 µg/m³
North Las Vegas
5.2 µg/m³
North Las Vegas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Modesto
75.0%
North Las Vegas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Modesto, CA | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | North Las Vegas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Modesto
30.5 min
North Las Vegas
24.6 min
North Las Vegas +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.5 min | 24.6 min | North Las Vegas + |
Which City is Right for You?
Modesto leads in median household income at $77,899, while north Las Vegas offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $407,146. On public safety, North Las Vegas is safer with a violent crime rate of 460 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Modesto. Modesto has a lower unemployment rate at 7.3%, and North Las Vegas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, North Las Vegas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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