Modesto CA vs Plano 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%
Plano, TX
Texas · Population: 287,339
- Median HH Income$108,649
- Median Home Price$507,575
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Modesto
218,614
Plano
287,339
Plano +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Modesto
N/A
Plano
N/A
Median Age
Modesto
35.4
Modesto +
Plano
39.3
Foreign Born
Modesto
18.7%
Plano
28.7%
Plano +
White
Modesto
50.8%
Plano
53.2%
Plano +
Black
Modesto
4.7%
Plano
9.0%
Plano +
Asian
Modesto
7.4%
Plano
22.6%
Plano +
Hispanic
Modesto
43.9%
Modesto +
Plano
16.2%
Spanish at Home
Modesto
N/A
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,614 | 287,339 | Plano + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 39.3 | Modesto + |
| Foreign Born | 18.7% | 28.7% | Plano + |
| White | 50.8% | 53.2% | Plano + |
| Black | 4.7% | 9.0% | Plano + |
| Asian | 7.4% | 22.6% | Plano + |
| Hispanic | 43.9% | 16.2% | Modesto + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Modesto
$77,899
Plano
$108,649
Plano +
Per Capita Income
Modesto
$34,656
Plano
$57,753
Plano +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Modesto
$77,230
Modesto +
Plano
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Modesto
7.3%
Plano
4.1%
Plano +
Poverty Rate
Modesto
13.0%
Plano
7.1%
Plano +
Bachelor's Degree+
Modesto
20.3%
Plano
59.2%
Plano +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,899 | $108,649 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,656 | $57,753 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | Modesto + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.3% | 4.1% | Plano + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.0% | 7.1% | Plano + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.3% | 59.2% | Plano + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Modesto
$447,353
Modesto +
Plano
$507,575
Homeownership Rate
Modesto
58.4%
Modesto +
Plano
56.6%
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $447,353 | $507,575 | Modesto + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 56.6% | Modesto + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
503
Plano
442
Plano +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
2388
Plano
2339
Plano +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 442 | Plano + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2339 | Plano + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Modesto
36.2%
Plano
31.2%
Plano +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Modesto
12.1%
Plano
9.9%
Plano +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Modesto
19.0%
Plano
14.0%
Plano +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.0%
Plano
10.3%
Plano +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Modesto
16.5%
Plano
16.4%
Plano +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.7%
Plano
8.8%
Plano +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 31.2% | Plano + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 9.9% | Plano + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 14.0% | Plano + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 10.3% | Plano + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.4% | Plano + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 8.8% | Plano + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
63.7°F
Plano
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
13.1 in
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Plano, 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 +
Plano
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Modesto
75.0%
Modesto +
Plano
55.0%
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Plano, 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
Plano
27.6 min
Plano +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.5 min | 27.6 min | Plano + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plano leads in median household income at $108,649, while modesto offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $447,353. On public safety, Plano is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Modesto. Plano has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Modesto has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Plano scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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