Modesto CA vs Portland OR — 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%
Portland, OR
Oregon · Population: 642,715
- Median HH Income$88,792
- Median Home Price$538,687
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+53.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Modesto
218,614
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Modesto
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Modesto
35.4
Modesto +
Portland
38.6
Foreign Born
Modesto
18.7%
Modesto +
Portland
12.4%
White
Modesto
50.8%
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
Black
Modesto
4.7%
Portland
5.8%
Portland +
Asian
Modesto
7.4%
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Hispanic
Modesto
43.9%
Modesto +
Portland
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Modesto
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,614 | 642,715 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 38.6 | Modesto + |
| Foreign Born | 18.7% | 12.4% | Modesto + |
| White | 50.8% | 70.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 4.7% | 5.8% | Portland + |
| Asian | 7.4% | 8.1% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 43.9% | 11.3% | Modesto + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Modesto
$77,899
Portland
$88,792
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Modesto
$34,656
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Modesto
$77,230
Modesto +
Portland
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Modesto
7.3%
Portland
5.5%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Modesto
13.0%
Portland
12.8%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Modesto
20.3%
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,899 | $88,792 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,656 | $55,312 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,691 | Modesto + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.3% | 5.5% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.0% | 12.8% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.3% | 53.5% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Modesto
$447,353
Modesto +
Portland
$538,687
Homeownership Rate
Modesto
58.4%
Modesto +
Portland
52.8%
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $447,353 | $538,687 | Modesto + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 52.8% | Modesto + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
503
Portland
355
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
2388
Modesto +
Portland
3001
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 355 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3001 | Modesto + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Modesto
36.2%
Portland
28.5%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Modesto
12.1%
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Modesto
19.0%
Portland
18.3%
Portland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.0%
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Modesto
16.5%
Modesto +
Portland
17.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.7%
Portland
11.7%
Portland +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 28.5% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 8.9% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 18.3% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 7.1% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 17.7% | Modesto + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 11.7% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
63.7°F
Portland
51.6°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
13.1 in
Modesto +
Portland
78.3 in
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.7°F | 51.6°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.1 in | 78.3 in | Modesto + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Modesto
7.9 µg/m³
Modesto +
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Modesto
75.0%
Modesto +
Portland
55.0%
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Modesto + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Modesto + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Modesto
30.5 min
Portland
26.5 min
Portland +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.5 min | 26.5 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $88,792, while modesto offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $447,353. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Modesto. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Modesto has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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