Modesto CA vs Roanoke VA — 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%
Roanoke, VA
Virginia · Population: 98,677
- Median HH Income$52,671
- Median Home Price$279,668
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Modesto
218,614
Modesto +
Roanoke
98,677
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Modesto
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
Median Age
Modesto
35.4
Modesto +
Roanoke
38.0
Foreign Born
Modesto
18.7%
Modesto +
Roanoke
7.5%
White
Modesto
50.8%
Roanoke
57.5%
Roanoke +
Black
Modesto
4.7%
Roanoke
29.0%
Roanoke +
Asian
Modesto
7.4%
Modesto +
Roanoke
3.1%
Hispanic
Modesto
43.9%
Modesto +
Roanoke
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Modesto
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,614 | 98,677 | Modesto + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 38.0 | Modesto + |
| Foreign Born | 18.7% | 7.5% | Modesto + |
| White | 50.8% | 57.5% | Roanoke + |
| Black | 4.7% | 29.0% | Roanoke + |
| Asian | 7.4% | 3.1% | Modesto + |
| Hispanic | 43.9% | 8.6% | Modesto + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Modesto
$77,899
Modesto +
Roanoke
$52,671
Per Capita Income
Modesto
$34,656
Roanoke
$34,792
Roanoke +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Modesto
$77,230
Modesto +
Roanoke
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Modesto
7.3%
Roanoke
5.5%
Roanoke +
Poverty Rate
Modesto
13.0%
Modesto +
Roanoke
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Modesto
20.3%
Roanoke
28.9%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,899 | $52,671 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,656 | $34,792 | Roanoke + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $69,581 | Modesto + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.3% | 5.5% | Roanoke + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.0% | 19.7% | Modesto + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.3% | 28.9% | Roanoke + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Modesto
$447,353
Roanoke
$279,668
Roanoke +
Homeownership Rate
Modesto
58.4%
Modesto +
Roanoke
51.7%
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $447,353 | $279,668 | Roanoke + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 51.7% | Modesto + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
503
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
2388
Roanoke
1726
Roanoke +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 240 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1726 | Roanoke + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Modesto
36.2%
Modesto +
Roanoke
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Modesto
12.1%
Modesto +
Roanoke
14.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Modesto
19.0%
Roanoke
18.4%
Roanoke +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.0%
Roanoke
11.0%
Roanoke +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Modesto
16.5%
Roanoke
14.7%
Roanoke +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.7%
Modesto +
Roanoke
16.7%
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 41.9% | Modesto + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 14.9% | Modesto + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 18.4% | Roanoke + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 11.0% | Roanoke + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 14.7% | Roanoke + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 16.7% | Modesto + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
63.7°F
Roanoke
56.0°F
Roanoke +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
13.1 in
Modesto +
Roanoke
44.5 in
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.7°F | 56.0°F | Roanoke + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.1 in | 44.5 in | Modesto + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Modesto
7.9 µg/m³
Modesto +
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Modesto
75.0%
Roanoke
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Modesto + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Modesto
30.5 min
Roanoke
21.6 min
Roanoke +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.5 min | 21.6 min | Roanoke + |
Which City is Right for You?
Modesto leads in median household income at $77,899, while roanoke offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,668. On public safety, Roanoke is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Modesto. Roanoke has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Modesto 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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