Modesto CA vs Rochester NY — 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%
Rochester, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Modesto
218,614
Modesto +
Rochester
209,720
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Modesto
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Modesto
35.4
Rochester
33.5
Rochester +
Foreign Born
Modesto
18.7%
Modesto +
Rochester
8.3%
White
Modesto
50.8%
Modesto +
Rochester
41.5%
Black
Modesto
4.7%
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
Asian
Modesto
7.4%
Modesto +
Rochester
3.2%
Hispanic
Modesto
43.9%
Modesto +
Rochester
20.0%
Spanish at Home
Modesto
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,614 | 209,720 | Modesto + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 33.5 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 18.7% | 8.3% | Modesto + |
| White | 50.8% | 41.5% | Modesto + |
| Black | 4.7% | 37.5% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 7.4% | 3.2% | Modesto + |
| Hispanic | 43.9% | 20.0% | Modesto + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Modesto
$77,899
Modesto +
Rochester
$46,628
Per Capita Income
Modesto
$34,656
Modesto +
Rochester
$30,451
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Modesto
$77,230
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Modesto
7.3%
Modesto +
Rochester
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Modesto
13.0%
Modesto +
Rochester
26.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Modesto
20.3%
Rochester
29.9%
Rochester +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,899 | $46,628 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,656 | $30,451 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,425 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.3% | 7.9% | Modesto + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.0% | 26.6% | Modesto + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.3% | 29.9% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Modesto
$447,353
Rochester
$241,627
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Modesto
58.4%
Modesto +
Rochester
37.2%
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $447,353 | $241,627 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 37.2% | Modesto + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
503
Rochester
434
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
2388
Rochester
1736
Rochester +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 434 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1736 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Modesto
36.2%
Modesto +
Rochester
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Modesto
12.1%
Modesto +
Rochester
14.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Modesto
19.0%
Rochester
18.8%
Rochester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.0%
Rochester
10.9%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Modesto
16.5%
Rochester
16.3%
Rochester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.7%
Modesto +
Rochester
16.6%
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 38.0% | Modesto + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 14.3% | Modesto + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 18.8% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 10.9% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.3% | Rochester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 16.6% | Modesto + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
63.7°F
Rochester
48.2°F
Rochester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
13.1 in
Modesto +
Rochester
34.3 in
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.7°F | 48.2°F | Rochester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.1 in | 34.3 in | Modesto + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Modesto
7.9 µg/m³
Modesto +
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Modesto
75.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Modesto + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Modesto
30.5 min
Rochester
20.6 min
Rochester +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.5 min | 20.6 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Modesto leads in median household income at $77,899, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,627. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Modesto. Modesto has a lower unemployment rate at 7.3%, 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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