Modesto CA vs Riverside 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%
Riverside, CA
California · Population: 316,241
- Median HH Income$88,575
- Median Home Price$648,603
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+25.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Modesto
218,614
Riverside
316,241
Riverside +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Modesto
N/A
Riverside
N/A
Median Age
Modesto
35.4
Riverside
33.1
Riverside +
Foreign Born
Modesto
18.7%
Riverside
22.4%
Riverside +
White
Modesto
50.8%
Modesto +
Riverside
39.2%
Black
Modesto
4.7%
Riverside
6.0%
Riverside +
Asian
Modesto
7.4%
Riverside
8.3%
Riverside +
Hispanic
Modesto
43.9%
Riverside
54.6%
Riverside +
Spanish at Home
Modesto
N/A
Riverside
N/A
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,614 | 316,241 | Riverside + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 33.1 | Riverside + |
| Foreign Born | 18.7% | 22.4% | Riverside + |
| White | 50.8% | 39.2% | Modesto + |
| Black | 4.7% | 6.0% | Riverside + |
| Asian | 7.4% | 8.3% | Riverside + |
| Hispanic | 43.9% | 54.6% | Riverside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Modesto
$77,899
Riverside
$88,575
Riverside +
Per Capita Income
Modesto
$34,656
Modesto +
Riverside
$33,716
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Modesto
$77,230
Riverside
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Modesto
7.3%
Riverside
6.0%
Riverside +
Poverty Rate
Modesto
13.0%
Riverside
12.5%
Riverside +
Bachelor's Degree+
Modesto
20.3%
Riverside
25.7%
Riverside +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,899 | $88,575 | Riverside + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,656 | $33,716 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.3% | 6.0% | Riverside + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.0% | 12.5% | Riverside + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.3% | 25.7% | Riverside + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Modesto
$447,353
Modesto +
Riverside
$648,603
Homeownership Rate
Modesto
58.4%
Modesto +
Riverside
56.3%
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $447,353 | $648,603 | Modesto + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 56.3% | Modesto + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
503
Riverside
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
2388
Riverside
2388
Tie
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Riverside, 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%
Modesto +
Riverside
36.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Modesto
12.1%
Riverside
11.2%
Riverside +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Modesto
19.0%
Riverside
18.5%
Riverside +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.0%
Modesto +
Riverside
13.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Modesto
16.5%
Riverside
15.2%
Riverside +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.7%
Riverside
11.5%
Riverside +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 36.7% | Modesto + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 11.2% | Riverside + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 18.5% | Riverside + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 13.6% | Modesto + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 15.2% | Riverside + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 11.5% | Riverside + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
63.7°F
Modesto +
Riverside
66.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
13.1 in
Riverside
10.3 in
Riverside +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.7°F | 66.8°F | Modesto + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.1 in | 10.3 in | Riverside + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Modesto
7.9 µg/m³
Riverside
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Modesto
75.0%
Riverside
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Riverside, 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 +
Riverside
34.1 min
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.5 min | 34.1 min | Modesto + |
Which City is Right for You?
Riverside leads in median household income at $88,575, while modesto offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $447,353. On public safety, Riverside is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Modesto. Riverside has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Riverside has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Modesto scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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