Modesto CA vs Pearland TX — 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%
Pearland, TX
Texas · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$382,066
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Modesto
218,614
Pearland
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Modesto
N/A
Pearland
N/A
Median Age
Modesto
35.4
Pearland
N/A
Foreign Born
Modesto
18.7%
Pearland
N/A
White
Modesto
50.8%
Pearland
N/A
Black
Modesto
4.7%
Pearland
N/A
Asian
Modesto
7.4%
Pearland
N/A
Hispanic
Modesto
43.9%
Pearland
N/A
Spanish at Home
Modesto
N/A
Pearland
N/A
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Pearland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,614 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 18.7% | N/A | - |
| White | 50.8% | N/A | - |
| Black | 4.7% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 7.4% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 43.9% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Modesto
$77,899
Pearland
N/A
Per Capita Income
Modesto
$34,656
Pearland
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Modesto
$77,230
Modesto +
Pearland
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Modesto
7.3%
Pearland
N/A
Poverty Rate
Modesto
13.0%
Pearland
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Modesto
20.3%
Pearland
N/A
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Pearland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,899 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $34,656 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | Modesto + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.3% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 13.0% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.3% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Modesto
$447,353
Pearland
$382,066
Pearland +
Homeownership Rate
Modesto
58.4%
Pearland
N/A
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Pearland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $447,353 | $382,066 | Pearland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
503
Pearland
442
Pearland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
2388
Pearland
2339
Pearland +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Pearland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 442 | Pearland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2339 | Pearland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Modesto
36.2%
Pearland
33.4%
Pearland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Modesto
12.1%
Pearland
10.9%
Pearland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Modesto
19.0%
Pearland
14.8%
Pearland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.0%
Pearland
12.4%
Pearland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Modesto
16.5%
Pearland
16.4%
Pearland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.7%
Pearland
9.6%
Pearland +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Pearland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 33.4% | Pearland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 10.9% | Pearland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 14.8% | Pearland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.4% | Pearland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.4% | Pearland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 9.6% | Pearland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
63.7°F
Pearland
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
13.1 in
Pearland
N/A
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Pearland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Modesto
7.9 µg/m³
Modesto +
Pearland
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Modesto
75.0%
Modesto +
Pearland
55.0%
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Pearland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Modesto + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Modesto + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Modesto
30.5 min
Pearland
N/A
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Pearland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.5 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Pearland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $382,066. On public safety, Pearland is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Modesto. Modesto has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Pearland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.4%.
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