Modesto CA vs San Francisco 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 Francisco, CA
California · Population: 836,321
- Median HH Income$141,446
- Median Home Price$1,369,171
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+60.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Modesto
218,614
San Francisco
836,321
San Francisco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Modesto
N/A
San Francisco
N/A
Median Age
Modesto
35.4
Modesto +
San Francisco
39.7
Foreign Born
Modesto
18.7%
San Francisco
34.2%
San Francisco +
White
Modesto
50.8%
Modesto +
San Francisco
40.5%
Black
Modesto
4.7%
San Francisco
5.1%
San Francisco +
Asian
Modesto
7.4%
San Francisco
35.0%
San Francisco +
Hispanic
Modesto
43.9%
Modesto +
San Francisco
15.9%
Spanish at Home
Modesto
N/A
San Francisco
N/A
| Metric | Modesto, CA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,614 | 836,321 | San Francisco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 39.7 | Modesto + |
| Foreign Born | 18.7% | 34.2% | San Francisco + |
| White | 50.8% | 40.5% | Modesto + |
| Black | 4.7% | 5.1% | San Francisco + |
| Asian | 7.4% | 35.0% | San Francisco + |
| Hispanic | 43.9% | 15.9% | Modesto + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Modesto
$77,899
San Francisco
$141,446
San Francisco +
Per Capita Income
Modesto
$34,656
San Francisco
$90,285
San Francisco +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Modesto
$77,230
San Francisco
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Modesto
7.3%
San Francisco
5.6%
San Francisco +
Poverty Rate
Modesto
13.0%
San Francisco
10.6%
San Francisco +
Bachelor's Degree+
Modesto
20.3%
San Francisco
60.1%
San Francisco +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,899 | $141,446 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,656 | $90,285 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.3% | 5.6% | San Francisco + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.0% | 10.6% | San Francisco + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.3% | 60.1% | San Francisco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Modesto
$447,353
Modesto +
San Francisco
$1,369,171
Homeownership Rate
Modesto
58.4%
Modesto +
San Francisco
38.5%
| Metric | Modesto, CA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $447,353 | $1,369,171 | Modesto + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 38.5% | Modesto + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
503
San Francisco
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
2388
San Francisco
2388
Tie
| Metric | Modesto, CA | San Francisco, 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%
San Francisco
17.5%
San Francisco +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Modesto
12.1%
San Francisco
9.7%
San Francisco +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Modesto
19.0%
San Francisco
14.5%
San Francisco +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.0%
San Francisco
6.6%
San Francisco +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Modesto
16.5%
Modesto +
San Francisco
19.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.7%
San Francisco
9.1%
San Francisco +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 17.5% | San Francisco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 9.7% | San Francisco + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 14.5% | San Francisco + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 6.6% | San Francisco + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 19.6% | Modesto + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 9.1% | San Francisco + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
63.7°F
San Francisco
55.3°F
San Francisco +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
13.1 in
Modesto +
San Francisco
20.7 in
| Metric | Modesto, CA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.7°F | 55.3°F | San Francisco + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.1 in | 20.7 in | Modesto + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Modesto
7.9 µg/m³
San Francisco
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Modesto
75.0%
San Francisco
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Modesto, CA | San Francisco, 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 Francisco
33.9 min
| Metric | Modesto, CA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.5 min | 33.9 min | Modesto + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Francisco leads in median household income at $141,446, while modesto offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $447,353. On public safety, San Francisco is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Modesto. San Francisco has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and San Francisco has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Francisco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 17.5%.
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