Modesto CA vs Oklahoma City OK — 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%
Oklahoma City, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 688,693
- Median HH Income$66,702
- Median Home Price$207,961
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+34.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Modesto
218,614
Oklahoma City
688,693
Oklahoma City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Modesto
N/A
Oklahoma City
N/A
Median Age
Modesto
35.4
Oklahoma City
35.0
Oklahoma City +
Foreign Born
Modesto
18.7%
Modesto +
Oklahoma City
12.0%
White
Modesto
50.8%
Oklahoma City
58.4%
Oklahoma City +
Black
Modesto
4.7%
Oklahoma City
13.4%
Oklahoma City +
Asian
Modesto
7.4%
Modesto +
Oklahoma City
4.5%
Hispanic
Modesto
43.9%
Modesto +
Oklahoma City
21.7%
Spanish at Home
Modesto
N/A
Oklahoma City
N/A
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,614 | 688,693 | Oklahoma City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 35.0 | Oklahoma City + |
| Foreign Born | 18.7% | 12.0% | Modesto + |
| White | 50.8% | 58.4% | Oklahoma City + |
| Black | 4.7% | 13.4% | Oklahoma City + |
| Asian | 7.4% | 4.5% | Modesto + |
| Hispanic | 43.9% | 21.7% | Modesto + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Modesto
$77,899
Modesto +
Oklahoma City
$66,702
Per Capita Income
Modesto
$34,656
Oklahoma City
$37,109
Oklahoma City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Modesto
$77,230
Modesto +
Oklahoma City
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Modesto
7.3%
Oklahoma City
4.7%
Oklahoma City +
Poverty Rate
Modesto
13.0%
Modesto +
Oklahoma City
15.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Modesto
20.3%
Oklahoma City
34.0%
Oklahoma City +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,899 | $66,702 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,656 | $37,109 | Oklahoma City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $57,929 | Modesto + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.3% | 4.7% | Oklahoma City + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.0% | 15.2% | Modesto + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.3% | 34.0% | Oklahoma City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Modesto
$447,353
Oklahoma City
$207,961
Oklahoma City +
Homeownership Rate
Modesto
58.4%
Oklahoma City
59.1%
Oklahoma City +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $447,353 | $207,961 | Oklahoma City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 59.1% | Oklahoma City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
503
Oklahoma City
429
Oklahoma City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
2388
Oklahoma City
2375
Oklahoma City +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 429 | Oklahoma City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2375 | Oklahoma City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Modesto
36.2%
Modesto +
Oklahoma City
38.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Modesto
12.1%
Modesto +
Oklahoma City
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Modesto
19.0%
Oklahoma City
17.8%
Oklahoma City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.0%
Modesto +
Oklahoma City
14.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Modesto
16.5%
Oklahoma City
14.6%
Oklahoma City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.7%
Modesto +
Oklahoma City
14.9%
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 38.3% | Modesto + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 12.6% | Modesto + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 17.8% | Oklahoma City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 14.0% | Modesto + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 14.6% | Oklahoma City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 14.9% | Modesto + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
63.7°F
Oklahoma City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
13.1 in
Modesto +
Oklahoma City
37.6 in
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.1 in | 37.6 in | Modesto + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Modesto
7.9 µg/m³
Modesto +
Oklahoma City
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Modesto
75.0%
Oklahoma City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Modesto + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Modesto
30.5 min
Oklahoma City
23.6 min
Oklahoma City +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.5 min | 23.6 min | Oklahoma City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Modesto leads in median household income at $77,899, while oklahoma City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $207,961. On public safety, Oklahoma City is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Modesto. Oklahoma City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, 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%.
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