Modesto CA vs Provo 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%
Provo, UT
Utah · Population: 114,303
- Median HH Income$62,800
- Median Home Price$486,127
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+45.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Modesto
218,614
Modesto +
Provo
114,303
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Modesto
N/A
Provo
N/A
Median Age
Modesto
35.4
Provo
23.7
Provo +
Foreign Born
Modesto
18.7%
Modesto +
Provo
12.2%
White
Modesto
50.8%
Provo
78.6%
Provo +
Black
Modesto
4.7%
Modesto +
Provo
1.1%
Asian
Modesto
7.4%
Modesto +
Provo
2.2%
Hispanic
Modesto
43.9%
Modesto +
Provo
18.9%
Spanish at Home
Modesto
N/A
Provo
N/A
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,614 | 114,303 | Modesto + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 23.7 | Provo + |
| Foreign Born | 18.7% | 12.2% | Modesto + |
| White | 50.8% | 78.6% | Provo + |
| Black | 4.7% | 1.1% | Modesto + |
| Asian | 7.4% | 2.2% | Modesto + |
| Hispanic | 43.9% | 18.9% | Modesto + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Modesto
$77,899
Modesto +
Provo
$62,800
Per Capita Income
Modesto
$34,656
Modesto +
Provo
$26,755
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Modesto
$77,230
Modesto +
Provo
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Modesto
7.3%
Provo
4.7%
Provo +
Poverty Rate
Modesto
13.0%
Modesto +
Provo
22.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Modesto
20.3%
Provo
45.0%
Provo +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,899 | $62,800 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,656 | $26,755 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $60,713 | Modesto + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.3% | 4.7% | Provo + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.0% | 22.3% | Modesto + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.3% | 45.0% | Provo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Modesto
$447,353
Modesto +
Provo
$486,127
Homeownership Rate
Modesto
58.4%
Modesto +
Provo
39.9%
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $447,353 | $486,127 | Modesto + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 39.9% | Modesto + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
503
Provo
245
Provo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
2388
Provo
1931
Provo +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 245 | Provo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1931 | Provo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Modesto
36.2%
Provo
30.7%
Provo +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Modesto
12.1%
Provo
6.1%
Provo +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Modesto
19.0%
Modesto +
Provo
21.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.0%
Provo
12.6%
Provo +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Modesto
16.5%
Provo
8.7%
Provo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.7%
Provo
7.0%
Provo +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 30.7% | Provo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 6.1% | Provo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 21.5% | Modesto + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.6% | Provo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 8.7% | Provo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 7.0% | Provo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
63.7°F
Provo
53.4°F
Provo +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
13.1 in
Modesto +
Provo
19.8 in
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.7°F | 53.4°F | Provo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.1 in | 19.8 in | Modesto + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Modesto
7.9 µg/m³
Provo
7.0 µg/m³
Provo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Modesto
75.0%
Provo
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Provo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Modesto
30.5 min
Provo
20.1 min
Provo +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.5 min | 20.1 min | Provo + |
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, Provo is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Modesto. Provo has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Provo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Provo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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