Modesto CA vs Salem OR — 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%
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Modesto
218,614
Modesto +
Salem
176,666
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Modesto
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Modesto
35.4
Modesto +
Salem
35.7
Foreign Born
Modesto
18.7%
Modesto +
Salem
12.2%
White
Modesto
50.8%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
Modesto
4.7%
Modesto +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Modesto
7.4%
Modesto +
Salem
3.5%
Hispanic
Modesto
43.9%
Modesto +
Salem
23.4%
Spanish at Home
Modesto
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,614 | 176,666 | Modesto + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 35.7 | Modesto + |
| Foreign Born | 18.7% | 12.2% | Modesto + |
| White | 50.8% | 69.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 4.7% | 1.6% | Modesto + |
| Asian | 7.4% | 3.5% | Modesto + |
| Hispanic | 43.9% | 23.4% | Modesto + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Modesto
$77,899
Modesto +
Salem
$71,900
Per Capita Income
Modesto
$34,656
Salem
$36,477
Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Modesto
$77,230
Modesto +
Salem
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Modesto
7.3%
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
Poverty Rate
Modesto
13.0%
Modesto +
Salem
14.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Modesto
20.3%
Salem
31.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,899 | $71,900 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,656 | $36,477 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,691 | Modesto + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.3% | 5.3% | Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.0% | 14.7% | Modesto + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.3% | 31.4% | Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Modesto
$447,353
Salem
$438,754
Salem +
Homeownership Rate
Modesto
58.4%
Modesto +
Salem
55.7%
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $447,353 | $438,754 | Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 55.7% | Modesto + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
503
Salem
355
Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
2388
Modesto +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 355 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3001 | Modesto + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Modesto
36.2%
Modesto +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Modesto
12.1%
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Modesto
19.0%
Salem
18.8%
Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.0%
Salem
11.6%
Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Modesto
16.5%
Salem
16.2%
Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.7%
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 41.4% | Modesto + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 11.7% | Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 18.8% | Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 11.6% | Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.2% | Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 12.4% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
63.7°F
Salem
53.0°F
Salem +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
13.1 in
Modesto +
Salem
39.7 in
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.7°F | 53.0°F | Salem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.1 in | 39.7 in | Modesto + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Modesto
7.9 µg/m³
Modesto +
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Modesto
75.0%
Modesto +
Salem
55.0%
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Modesto + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Modesto + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Modesto
30.5 min
Salem
24.5 min
Salem +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.5 min | 24.5 min | Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Modesto leads in median household income at $77,899, while salem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $438,754. On public safety, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Modesto. Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, 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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