Modesto CA vs San Bernardino 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%
San Bernardino, CA
California · Population: 221,774
- Median HH Income$63,988
- Median Home Price$492,059
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+12.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Modesto
218,614
San Bernardino
221,774
San Bernardino +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Modesto
N/A
San Bernardino
N/A
Median Age
Modesto
35.4
San Bernardino
31.9
San Bernardino +
Foreign Born
Modesto
18.7%
San Bernardino
22.9%
San Bernardino +
White
Modesto
50.8%
Modesto +
San Bernardino
27.6%
Black
Modesto
4.7%
San Bernardino
11.8%
San Bernardino +
Asian
Modesto
7.4%
Modesto +
San Bernardino
4.1%
Hispanic
Modesto
43.9%
San Bernardino
69.6%
San Bernardino +
Spanish at Home
Modesto
N/A
San Bernardino
N/A
| Metric | Modesto, CA | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,614 | 221,774 | San Bernardino + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 31.9 | San Bernardino + |
| Foreign Born | 18.7% | 22.9% | San Bernardino + |
| White | 50.8% | 27.6% | Modesto + |
| Black | 4.7% | 11.8% | San Bernardino + |
| Asian | 7.4% | 4.1% | Modesto + |
| Hispanic | 43.9% | 69.6% | San Bernardino + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Modesto
$77,899
Modesto +
San Bernardino
$63,988
Per Capita Income
Modesto
$34,656
Modesto +
San Bernardino
$23,980
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Modesto
$77,230
San Bernardino
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Modesto
7.3%
San Bernardino
6.5%
San Bernardino +
Poverty Rate
Modesto
13.0%
Modesto +
San Bernardino
19.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Modesto
20.3%
Modesto +
San Bernardino
12.8%
| Metric | Modesto, CA | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,899 | $63,988 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,656 | $23,980 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.3% | 6.5% | San Bernardino + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.0% | 19.5% | Modesto + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.3% | 12.8% | Modesto + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Modesto
$447,353
Modesto +
San Bernardino
$492,059
Homeownership Rate
Modesto
58.4%
Modesto +
San Bernardino
48.5%
| Metric | Modesto, CA | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $447,353 | $492,059 | Modesto + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 48.5% | Modesto + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
503
San Bernardino
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
2388
San Bernardino
2388
Tie
| Metric | Modesto, CA | San Bernardino, 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%
Modesto +
San Bernardino
37.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Modesto
12.1%
Modesto +
San Bernardino
13.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Modesto
19.0%
Modesto +
San Bernardino
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.0%
Modesto +
San Bernardino
20.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Modesto
16.5%
San Bernardino
15.2%
San Bernardino +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.7%
Modesto +
San Bernardino
15.1%
| Metric | Modesto, CA | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 37.1% | Modesto + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 13.6% | Modesto + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 20.0% | Modesto + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 20.2% | Modesto + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 15.2% | San Bernardino + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 15.1% | Modesto + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
63.7°F
San Bernardino
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
13.1 in
San Bernardino
N/A
| Metric | Modesto, CA | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Modesto
7.9 µg/m³
San Bernardino
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Modesto
75.0%
San Bernardino
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Modesto, CA | San Bernardino, 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
Modesto +
San Bernardino
30.7 min
| Metric | Modesto, CA | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.5 min | 30.7 min | Modesto + |
Which City is Right for You?
Modesto leads in median household income at $77,899, while modesto offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $447,353. On public safety, San Bernardino is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Modesto. San Bernardino has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and San Bernardino 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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