Modesto CA vs St. George UT — 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%
St. George, UT
Utah · Population: 99,184
- Median HH Income$72,870
- Median Home Price$456,900
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Modesto
218,614
Modesto +
St. George
99,184
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Modesto
N/A
St. George
N/A
Median Age
Modesto
35.4
Modesto +
St. George
37.9
Foreign Born
Modesto
18.7%
Modesto +
St. George
7.4%
White
Modesto
50.8%
St. George
85.0%
St. George +
Black
Modesto
4.7%
Modesto +
St. George
0.6%
Asian
Modesto
7.4%
Modesto +
St. George
1.2%
Hispanic
Modesto
43.9%
Modesto +
St. George
12.7%
Spanish at Home
Modesto
N/A
St. George
N/A
| Metric | Modesto, CA | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,614 | 99,184 | Modesto + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 37.9 | Modesto + |
| Foreign Born | 18.7% | 7.4% | Modesto + |
| White | 50.8% | 85.0% | St. George + |
| Black | 4.7% | 0.6% | Modesto + |
| Asian | 7.4% | 1.2% | Modesto + |
| Hispanic | 43.9% | 12.7% | Modesto + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Modesto
$77,899
Modesto +
St. George
$72,870
Per Capita Income
Modesto
$34,656
St. George
$36,254
St. George +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Modesto
$77,230
Modesto +
St. George
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Modesto
7.3%
St. George
3.5%
St. George +
Poverty Rate
Modesto
13.0%
St. George
11.3%
St. George +
Bachelor's Degree+
Modesto
20.3%
St. George
34.1%
St. George +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,899 | $72,870 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,656 | $36,254 | St. George + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $60,713 | Modesto + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.3% | 3.5% | St. George + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.0% | 11.3% | St. George + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.3% | 34.1% | St. George + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Modesto
$447,353
Modesto +
St. George
$456,900
Homeownership Rate
Modesto
58.4%
St. George
68.2%
St. George +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $447,353 | $456,900 | Modesto + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 68.2% | St. George + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
503
St. George
245
St. George +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
2388
St. George
1931
St. George +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 245 | St. George + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1931 | St. George + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Modesto
36.2%
St. George
32.9%
St. George +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Modesto
12.1%
St. George
10.6%
St. George +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Modesto
19.0%
St. George
16.0%
St. George +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.0%
St. George
10.9%
St. George +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Modesto
16.5%
St. George
9.7%
St. George +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.7%
St. George
7.9%
St. George +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 32.9% | St. George + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 10.6% | St. George + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 16.0% | St. George + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 10.9% | St. George + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 9.7% | St. George + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 7.9% | St. George + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
63.7°F
Modesto +
St. George
63.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
13.1 in
St. George
8.8 in
St. George +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.7°F | 63.9°F | Modesto + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.1 in | 8.8 in | St. George + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Modesto
7.9 µg/m³
St. George
7.0 µg/m³
St. George +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Modesto
75.0%
St. George
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Modesto, CA | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | St. George + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Modesto
30.5 min
St. George
17.9 min
St. George +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.5 min | 17.9 min | St. George + |
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, St. George is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Modesto. St. George has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and St. George has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, St. George scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
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