Modesto CA vs Scottsdale AZ — 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%
Scottsdale, AZ
Arizona · Population: 242,169
- Median HH Income$107,372
- Median Home Price$858,307
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+61.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Modesto
218,614
Scottsdale
242,169
Scottsdale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Modesto
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
Median Age
Modesto
35.4
Modesto +
Scottsdale
49.2
Foreign Born
Modesto
18.7%
Modesto +
Scottsdale
11.2%
White
Modesto
50.8%
Scottsdale
81.8%
Scottsdale +
Black
Modesto
4.7%
Modesto +
Scottsdale
2.0%
Asian
Modesto
7.4%
Modesto +
Scottsdale
5.1%
Hispanic
Modesto
43.9%
Modesto +
Scottsdale
9.4%
Spanish at Home
Modesto
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,614 | 242,169 | Scottsdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 49.2 | Modesto + |
| Foreign Born | 18.7% | 11.2% | Modesto + |
| White | 50.8% | 81.8% | Scottsdale + |
| Black | 4.7% | 2.0% | Modesto + |
| Asian | 7.4% | 5.1% | Modesto + |
| Hispanic | 43.9% | 9.4% | Modesto + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Modesto
$77,899
Scottsdale
$107,372
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Income
Modesto
$34,656
Scottsdale
$82,697
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Modesto
$77,230
Modesto +
Scottsdale
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Modesto
7.3%
Scottsdale
3.4%
Scottsdale +
Poverty Rate
Modesto
13.0%
Scottsdale
7.1%
Scottsdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Modesto
20.3%
Scottsdale
61.5%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,899 | $107,372 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,656 | $82,697 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Modesto + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.3% | 3.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.0% | 7.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.3% | 61.5% | Scottsdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Modesto
$447,353
Modesto +
Scottsdale
$858,307
Homeownership Rate
Modesto
58.4%
Scottsdale
67.6%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $447,353 | $858,307 | Modesto + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 67.6% | Scottsdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
503
Scottsdale
450
Scottsdale +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
2388
Scottsdale
2150
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 450 | Scottsdale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2150 | Scottsdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Modesto
36.2%
Scottsdale
26.2%
Scottsdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Modesto
12.1%
Scottsdale
9.4%
Scottsdale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Modesto
19.0%
Scottsdale
12.1%
Scottsdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.0%
Scottsdale
6.3%
Scottsdale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Modesto
16.5%
Scottsdale
15.4%
Scottsdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.7%
Scottsdale
7.4%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 26.2% | Scottsdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 9.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 12.1% | Scottsdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 6.3% | Scottsdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 15.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 7.4% | Scottsdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
63.7°F
Modesto +
Scottsdale
72.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
13.1 in
Scottsdale
10.3 in
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.7°F | 72.5°F | Modesto + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.1 in | 10.3 in | Scottsdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Modesto
7.9 µg/m³
Scottsdale
7.1 µg/m³
Scottsdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Modesto
75.0%
Scottsdale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Scottsdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Modesto
30.5 min
Scottsdale
23.2 min
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.5 min | 23.2 min | Scottsdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Scottsdale leads in median household income at $107,372, while modesto offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $447,353. On public safety, Scottsdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Modesto. Scottsdale has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Scottsdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Scottsdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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