Modesto CA vs San Antonio TX — 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%
San Antonio, TX
Texas · Population: 1,458,954
- Median HH Income$62,917
- Median Home Price$251,035
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+28.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Modesto
218,614
San Antonio
1,458,954
San Antonio +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Modesto
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
Median Age
Modesto
35.4
San Antonio
34.6
San Antonio +
Foreign Born
Modesto
18.7%
Modesto +
San Antonio
14.3%
White
Modesto
50.8%
Modesto +
San Antonio
48.3%
Black
Modesto
4.7%
San Antonio
7.0%
San Antonio +
Asian
Modesto
7.4%
Modesto +
San Antonio
3.1%
Hispanic
Modesto
43.9%
San Antonio
64.4%
San Antonio +
Spanish at Home
Modesto
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
| Metric | Modesto, CA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,614 | 1,458,954 | San Antonio + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 34.6 | San Antonio + |
| Foreign Born | 18.7% | 14.3% | Modesto + |
| White | 50.8% | 48.3% | Modesto + |
| Black | 4.7% | 7.0% | San Antonio + |
| Asian | 7.4% | 3.1% | Modesto + |
| Hispanic | 43.9% | 64.4% | San Antonio + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Modesto
$77,899
Modesto +
San Antonio
$62,917
Per Capita Income
Modesto
$34,656
Modesto +
San Antonio
$32,983
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Modesto
$77,230
Modesto +
San Antonio
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Modesto
7.3%
San Antonio
5.8%
San Antonio +
Poverty Rate
Modesto
13.0%
Modesto +
San Antonio
17.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Modesto
20.3%
San Antonio
28.7%
San Antonio +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,899 | $62,917 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,656 | $32,983 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | Modesto + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.3% | 5.8% | San Antonio + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.0% | 17.1% | Modesto + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.3% | 28.7% | San Antonio + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Modesto
$447,353
San Antonio
$251,035
San Antonio +
Homeownership Rate
Modesto
58.4%
Modesto +
San Antonio
52.4%
| Metric | Modesto, CA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $447,353 | $251,035 | San Antonio + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 52.4% | Modesto + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
503
San Antonio
442
San Antonio +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
2388
San Antonio
2339
San Antonio +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 442 | San Antonio + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2339 | San Antonio + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Modesto
36.2%
San Antonio
34.9%
San Antonio +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Modesto
12.1%
Modesto +
San Antonio
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Modesto
19.0%
San Antonio
17.2%
San Antonio +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.0%
Modesto +
San Antonio
24.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Modesto
16.5%
San Antonio
16.0%
San Antonio +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.7%
San Antonio
13.0%
San Antonio +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 34.9% | San Antonio + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 15.2% | Modesto + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 17.2% | San Antonio + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 24.5% | Modesto + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.0% | San Antonio + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 13.0% | San Antonio + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
63.7°F
Modesto +
San Antonio
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
13.1 in
Modesto +
San Antonio
34.9 in
| Metric | Modesto, CA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.7°F | 68.5°F | Modesto + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.1 in | 34.9 in | Modesto + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Modesto
7.9 µg/m³
Modesto +
San Antonio
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Modesto
75.0%
Modesto +
San Antonio
55.0%
| Metric | Modesto, CA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Modesto + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Modesto + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Modesto
30.5 min
San Antonio
26.5 min
San Antonio +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.5 min | 26.5 min | San Antonio + |
Which City is Right for You?
Modesto leads in median household income at $77,899, while san Antonio offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $251,035. On public safety, San Antonio is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Modesto. San Antonio has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Modesto has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Antonio scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.9%.
Compare More Cities
Modesto, CA vs New York, NYLos Angeles, CA vs Modesto, CAChicago, IL vs Modesto, CAHouston, TX vs Modesto, CAModesto, CA vs Phoenix, AZModesto, CA vs Philadelphia, PA