Modesto CA vs Sacramento 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%
Sacramento, CA
California · Population: 524,802
- Median HH Income$83,753
- Median Home Price$480,548
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+36.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Modesto
218,614
Sacramento
524,802
Sacramento +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Modesto
N/A
Sacramento
N/A
Median Age
Modesto
35.4
Modesto +
Sacramento
35.7
Foreign Born
Modesto
18.7%
Sacramento
21.3%
Sacramento +
White
Modesto
50.8%
Modesto +
Sacramento
36.8%
Black
Modesto
4.7%
Sacramento
12.4%
Sacramento +
Asian
Modesto
7.4%
Sacramento
19.7%
Sacramento +
Hispanic
Modesto
43.9%
Modesto +
Sacramento
29.5%
Spanish at Home
Modesto
N/A
Sacramento
N/A
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,614 | 524,802 | Sacramento + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 35.7 | Modesto + |
| Foreign Born | 18.7% | 21.3% | Sacramento + |
| White | 50.8% | 36.8% | Modesto + |
| Black | 4.7% | 12.4% | Sacramento + |
| Asian | 7.4% | 19.7% | Sacramento + |
| Hispanic | 43.9% | 29.5% | Modesto + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Modesto
$77,899
Sacramento
$83,753
Sacramento +
Per Capita Income
Modesto
$34,656
Sacramento
$42,300
Sacramento +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Modesto
$77,230
Sacramento
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Modesto
7.3%
Sacramento
6.2%
Sacramento +
Poverty Rate
Modesto
13.0%
Modesto +
Sacramento
14.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Modesto
20.3%
Sacramento
36.4%
Sacramento +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,899 | $83,753 | Sacramento + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,656 | $42,300 | Sacramento + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.3% | 6.2% | Sacramento + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.0% | 14.4% | Modesto + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.3% | 36.4% | Sacramento + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Modesto
$447,353
Modesto +
Sacramento
$480,548
Homeownership Rate
Modesto
58.4%
Modesto +
Sacramento
51.5%
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $447,353 | $480,548 | Modesto + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 51.5% | Modesto + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
503
Sacramento
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
2388
Sacramento
2388
Tie
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Sacramento, 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%
Sacramento
30.0%
Sacramento +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Modesto
12.1%
Sacramento
11.2%
Sacramento +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Modesto
19.0%
Sacramento
17.9%
Sacramento +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.0%
Sacramento
10.0%
Sacramento +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Modesto
16.5%
Sacramento
14.3%
Sacramento +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.7%
Sacramento
11.9%
Sacramento +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 30.0% | Sacramento + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 11.2% | Sacramento + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 17.9% | Sacramento + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 10.0% | Sacramento + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 14.3% | Sacramento + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 11.9% | Sacramento + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
63.7°F
Sacramento
61.0°F
Sacramento +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
13.1 in
Modesto +
Sacramento
18.5 in
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.7°F | 61.0°F | Sacramento + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.1 in | 18.5 in | Modesto + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Modesto
7.9 µg/m³
Sacramento
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Modesto
75.0%
Sacramento
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Sacramento, 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
Sacramento
27.0 min
Sacramento +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.5 min | 27.0 min | Sacramento + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sacramento leads in median household income at $83,753, while modesto offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $447,353. On public safety, Sacramento is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Modesto. Sacramento has a lower unemployment rate at 6.2%, and Sacramento has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sacramento scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.0%.
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