Modesto CA vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Modesto
218,614
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Modesto
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Modesto
35.4
Philadelphia
35.1
Philadelphia +
Foreign Born
Modesto
18.7%
Modesto +
Philadelphia
14.6%
White
Modesto
50.8%
Modesto +
Philadelphia
36.1%
Black
Modesto
4.7%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
Modesto
7.4%
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Hispanic
Modesto
43.9%
Modesto +
Philadelphia
15.2%
Spanish at Home
Modesto
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,614 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 35.1 | Philadelphia + |
| Foreign Born | 18.7% | 14.6% | Modesto + |
| White | 50.8% | 36.1% | Modesto + |
| Black | 4.7% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 7.4% | 7.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 43.9% | 15.2% | Modesto + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Modesto
$77,899
Modesto +
Philadelphia
$60,698
Per Capita Income
Modesto
$34,656
Philadelphia
$37,669
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Modesto
$77,230
Modesto +
Philadelphia
$65,080
Unemployment Rate
Modesto
7.3%
Modesto +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Modesto
13.0%
Modesto +
Philadelphia
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Modesto
20.3%
Philadelphia
34.6%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,899 | $60,698 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,656 | $37,669 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $65,080 | Modesto + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.3% | 8.4% | Modesto + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.0% | 22.0% | Modesto + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.3% | 34.6% | Philadelphia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Modesto
$447,353
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Homeownership Rate
Modesto
58.4%
Modesto +
Philadelphia
52.3%
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $447,353 | $233,814 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 52.3% | Modesto + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
503
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
2388
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 319 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1613 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Modesto
36.2%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Modesto
12.1%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Modesto
19.0%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.0%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Modesto
16.5%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.7%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
63.7°F
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Philadelphia +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
13.1 in
Modesto +
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.7°F | 57.1°F | Philadelphia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.1 in | 48.5 in | Modesto + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Modesto
7.9 µg/m³
Modesto +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Modesto
75.0%
Modesto +
Philadelphia
55.0%
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Modesto + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Modesto + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Modesto
30.5 min
Modesto +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.5 min | 34.5 min | Modesto + |
Which City is Right for You?
Modesto leads in median household income at $77,899, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 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).
Compare More Cities
Modesto, CA vs New York, NYLos Angeles, CA vs Modesto, CAChicago, IL vs Modesto, CAHouston, TX vs Modesto, CAModesto, CA vs Phoenix, AZModesto, CA vs San Antonio, TX