Modesto CA vs Sioux Falls SD — 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%
Sioux Falls, SD
South Dakota · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$333,043
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Modesto
218,614
Sioux Falls
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Modesto
N/A
Sioux Falls
N/A
Median Age
Modesto
35.4
Sioux Falls
N/A
Foreign Born
Modesto
18.7%
Sioux Falls
N/A
White
Modesto
50.8%
Sioux Falls
N/A
Black
Modesto
4.7%
Sioux Falls
N/A
Asian
Modesto
7.4%
Sioux Falls
N/A
Hispanic
Modesto
43.9%
Sioux Falls
N/A
Spanish at Home
Modesto
N/A
Sioux Falls
N/A
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,614 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 18.7% | N/A | - |
| White | 50.8% | N/A | - |
| Black | 4.7% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 7.4% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 43.9% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Modesto
$77,899
Sioux Falls
N/A
Per Capita Income
Modesto
$34,656
Sioux Falls
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Modesto
$77,230
Modesto +
Sioux Falls
$69,795
Unemployment Rate
Modesto
7.3%
Sioux Falls
N/A
Poverty Rate
Modesto
13.0%
Sioux Falls
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Modesto
20.3%
Sioux Falls
N/A
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,899 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $34,656 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $69,795 | Modesto + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.3% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 13.0% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.3% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Modesto
$447,353
Sioux Falls
$333,043
Sioux Falls +
Homeownership Rate
Modesto
58.4%
Sioux Falls
N/A
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $447,353 | $333,043 | Sioux Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
503
Sioux Falls
405
Sioux Falls +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
2388
Sioux Falls
1873
Sioux Falls +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 405 | Sioux Falls + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1873 | Sioux Falls + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Modesto
36.2%
Modesto +
Sioux Falls
36.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Modesto
12.1%
Sioux Falls
10.5%
Sioux Falls +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Modesto
19.0%
Sioux Falls
15.7%
Sioux Falls +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.0%
Sioux Falls
8.9%
Sioux Falls +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Modesto
16.5%
Modesto +
Sioux Falls
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.7%
Modesto +
Sioux Falls
13.9%
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 36.9% | Modesto + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 10.5% | Sioux Falls + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 15.7% | Sioux Falls + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 8.9% | Sioux Falls + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 19.8% | Modesto + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 13.9% | Modesto + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
63.7°F
Sioux Falls
45.0°F
Sioux Falls +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
13.1 in
Modesto +
Sioux Falls
27.7 in
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.7°F | 45.0°F | Sioux Falls + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.1 in | 27.7 in | Modesto + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Modesto
7.9 µg/m³
Sioux Falls
7.3 µg/m³
Sioux Falls +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Modesto
75.0%
Sioux Falls
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.3 µg/m³ | Sioux Falls + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Modesto
30.5 min
Sioux Falls
N/A
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.5 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Sioux Falls offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $333,043. On public safety, Sioux Falls is safer with a violent crime rate of 405 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Modesto. Sioux Falls has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Modesto scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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