Modesto CA vs Rancho Cucamonga CA — 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%
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
California · Population: 174,693
- Median HH Income$109,511
- Median Home Price$791,317
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+37.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Modesto
218,614
Modesto +
Rancho Cucamonga
174,693
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Modesto
N/A
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
Median Age
Modesto
35.4
Modesto +
Rancho Cucamonga
37.9
Foreign Born
Modesto
18.7%
Rancho Cucamonga
21.1%
Rancho Cucamonga +
White
Modesto
50.8%
Modesto +
Rancho Cucamonga
44.0%
Black
Modesto
4.7%
Rancho Cucamonga
8.3%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Asian
Modesto
7.4%
Rancho Cucamonga
15.4%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Hispanic
Modesto
43.9%
Modesto +
Rancho Cucamonga
38.5%
Spanish at Home
Modesto
N/A
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,614 | 174,693 | Modesto + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 37.9 | Modesto + |
| Foreign Born | 18.7% | 21.1% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| White | 50.8% | 44.0% | Modesto + |
| Black | 4.7% | 8.3% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Asian | 7.4% | 15.4% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Hispanic | 43.9% | 38.5% | Modesto + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Modesto
$77,899
Rancho Cucamonga
$109,511
Rancho Cucamonga +
Per Capita Income
Modesto
$34,656
Rancho Cucamonga
$45,626
Rancho Cucamonga +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Modesto
$77,230
Rancho Cucamonga
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Modesto
7.3%
Rancho Cucamonga
5.8%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Poverty Rate
Modesto
13.0%
Rancho Cucamonga
8.0%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Bachelor's Degree+
Modesto
20.3%
Rancho Cucamonga
37.3%
Rancho Cucamonga +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,899 | $109,511 | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,656 | $45,626 | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.3% | 5.8% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.0% | 8.0% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.3% | 37.3% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Modesto
$447,353
Modesto +
Rancho Cucamonga
$791,317
Homeownership Rate
Modesto
58.4%
Rancho Cucamonga
63.3%
Rancho Cucamonga +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $447,353 | $791,317 | Modesto + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 63.3% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
503
Rancho Cucamonga
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
2388
Rancho Cucamonga
2388
Tie
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 503 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2388 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Modesto
36.2%
Rancho Cucamonga
30.0%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Modesto
12.1%
Rancho Cucamonga
10.5%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Modesto
19.0%
Rancho Cucamonga
16.1%
Rancho Cucamonga +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.0%
Rancho Cucamonga
8.8%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Modesto
16.5%
Rancho Cucamonga
15.8%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.7%
Rancho Cucamonga
10.1%
Rancho Cucamonga +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 30.0% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 10.5% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 16.1% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 8.8% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 15.8% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 10.1% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
63.7°F
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
13.1 in
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | 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
Rancho Cucamonga
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Modesto
75.0%
Rancho Cucamonga
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Modesto
30.5 min
Modesto +
Rancho Cucamonga
34.6 min
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.5 min | 34.6 min | Modesto + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rancho Cucamonga leads in median household income at $109,511, while modesto offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $447,353. On public safety, Rancho Cucamonga is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Modesto. Rancho Cucamonga has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Rancho Cucamonga has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rancho Cucamonga scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.0%.
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