Modesto CA vs Orem UT — 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%
Orem, UT
Utah · Population: 86,973
- Median HH Income$70,053
- Median Home Price$509,396
- Unemployment4.0%
- Bachelor's+25.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Modesto
218,614
Modesto +
Orem
86,973
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Modesto
N/A
Orem
N/A
Median Age
Modesto
35.4
Orem
33.3
Orem +
Foreign Born
Modesto
18.7%
Modesto +
Orem
10.5%
White
Modesto
50.8%
Orem
77.1%
Orem +
Black
Modesto
4.7%
Modesto +
Orem
1.9%
Asian
Modesto
7.4%
Modesto +
Orem
1.6%
Hispanic
Modesto
43.9%
Modesto +
Orem
30.6%
Spanish at Home
Modesto
N/A
Orem
N/A
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,614 | 86,973 | Modesto + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 33.3 | Orem + |
| Foreign Born | 18.7% | 10.5% | Modesto + |
| White | 50.8% | 77.1% | Orem + |
| Black | 4.7% | 1.9% | Modesto + |
| Asian | 7.4% | 1.6% | Modesto + |
| Hispanic | 43.9% | 30.6% | Modesto + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Modesto
$77,899
Modesto +
Orem
$70,053
Per Capita Income
Modesto
$34,656
Modesto +
Orem
$33,579
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Modesto
$77,230
Modesto +
Orem
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Modesto
7.3%
Orem
4.0%
Orem +
Poverty Rate
Modesto
13.0%
Orem
12.7%
Orem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Modesto
20.3%
Orem
25.6%
Orem +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,899 | $70,053 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,656 | $33,579 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $60,713 | Modesto + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.3% | 4.0% | Orem + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.0% | 12.7% | Orem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.3% | 25.6% | Orem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Modesto
$447,353
Modesto +
Orem
$509,396
Homeownership Rate
Modesto
58.4%
Orem
60.9%
Orem +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $447,353 | $509,396 | Modesto + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 60.9% | Orem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
503
Orem
245
Orem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
2388
Orem
1931
Orem +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 245 | Orem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1931 | Orem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Modesto
36.2%
Orem
30.3%
Orem +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Modesto
12.1%
Orem
7.7%
Orem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Modesto
19.0%
Orem
17.1%
Orem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.0%
Orem
11.5%
Orem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Modesto
16.5%
Orem
8.6%
Orem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.7%
Orem
6.5%
Orem +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 30.3% | Orem + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 7.7% | Orem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 17.1% | Orem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 11.5% | Orem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 8.6% | Orem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 6.5% | Orem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
63.7°F
Orem
52.5°F
Orem +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
13.1 in
Modesto +
Orem
13.3 in
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.7°F | 52.5°F | Orem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.1 in | 13.3 in | Modesto + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Modesto
7.9 µg/m³
Orem
7.0 µg/m³
Orem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Modesto
75.0%
Orem
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Orem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Modesto
30.5 min
Orem
24.5 min
Orem +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.5 min | 24.5 min | Orem + |
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, Orem is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Modesto. Orem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.0%, and Orem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Orem scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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