Modesto CA vs St. Louis MO — 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. Louis, MO
Missouri · Population: 293,109
- Median HH Income$55,279
- Median Home Price$185,100
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Modesto
218,614
St. Louis
293,109
St. Louis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Modesto
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
Median Age
Modesto
35.4
Modesto +
St. Louis
36.6
Foreign Born
Modesto
18.7%
Modesto +
St. Louis
6.6%
White
Modesto
50.8%
Modesto +
St. Louis
45.7%
Black
Modesto
4.7%
St. Louis
43.1%
St. Louis +
Asian
Modesto
7.4%
Modesto +
St. Louis
3.4%
Hispanic
Modesto
43.9%
Modesto +
St. Louis
5.1%
Spanish at Home
Modesto
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Modesto, CA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,614 | 293,109 | St. Louis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 36.6 | Modesto + |
| Foreign Born | 18.7% | 6.6% | Modesto + |
| White | 50.8% | 45.7% | Modesto + |
| Black | 4.7% | 43.1% | St. Louis + |
| Asian | 7.4% | 3.4% | Modesto + |
| Hispanic | 43.9% | 5.1% | Modesto + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Modesto
$77,899
Modesto +
St. Louis
$55,279
Per Capita Income
Modesto
$34,656
St. Louis
$38,947
St. Louis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Modesto
$77,230
Modesto +
St. Louis
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Modesto
7.3%
St. Louis
5.1%
St. Louis +
Poverty Rate
Modesto
13.0%
Modesto +
St. Louis
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Modesto
20.3%
St. Louis
40.2%
St. Louis +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,899 | $55,279 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,656 | $38,947 | St. Louis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $58,527 | Modesto + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.3% | 5.1% | St. Louis + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.0% | 19.8% | Modesto + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.3% | 40.2% | St. Louis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Modesto
$447,353
St. Louis
$185,100
St. Louis +
Homeownership Rate
Modesto
58.4%
Modesto +
St. Louis
45.4%
| Metric | Modesto, CA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $447,353 | $185,100 | St. Louis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 45.4% | Modesto + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
503
St. Louis
501
St. Louis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
2388
Modesto +
St. Louis
2418
| Metric | Modesto, CA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 501 | St. Louis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2418 | Modesto + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Modesto
36.2%
Modesto +
St. Louis
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Modesto
12.1%
Modesto +
St. Louis
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Modesto
19.0%
St. Louis
18.8%
St. Louis +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.0%
St. Louis
9.4%
St. Louis +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Modesto
16.5%
Modesto +
St. Louis
17.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.7%
Modesto +
St. Louis
16.8%
| Metric | Modesto, CA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 36.8% | Modesto + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 13.2% | Modesto + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 18.8% | St. Louis + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 9.4% | St. Louis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 17.9% | Modesto + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 16.8% | Modesto + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
63.7°F
St. Louis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
13.1 in
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Modesto, CA | St. Louis, MO | 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
Modesto +
St. Louis
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Modesto
75.0%
Modesto +
St. Louis
55.0%
| Metric | Modesto, CA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Modesto + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Modesto + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Modesto
30.5 min
St. Louis
24.0 min
St. Louis +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.5 min | 24.0 min | St. Louis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Modesto leads in median household income at $77,899, while st. Louis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $185,100. On public safety, St. Louis is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Modesto. St. Louis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Modesto 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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