Modesto CA vs Stamford CT — 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%
Stamford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 135,806
- Median HH Income$107,474
- Median Home Price$708,498
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Modesto
218,614
Modesto +
Stamford
135,806
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Modesto
N/A
Stamford
N/A
Median Age
Modesto
35.4
Modesto +
Stamford
38.2
Foreign Born
Modesto
18.7%
Stamford
31.8%
Stamford +
White
Modesto
50.8%
Modesto +
Stamford
49.1%
Black
Modesto
4.7%
Stamford
19.9%
Stamford +
Asian
Modesto
7.4%
Modesto +
Stamford
7.1%
Hispanic
Modesto
43.9%
Modesto +
Stamford
28.1%
Spanish at Home
Modesto
N/A
Stamford
N/A
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,614 | 135,806 | Modesto + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 38.2 | Modesto + |
| Foreign Born | 18.7% | 31.8% | Stamford + |
| White | 50.8% | 49.1% | Modesto + |
| Black | 4.7% | 19.9% | Stamford + |
| Asian | 7.4% | 7.1% | Modesto + |
| Hispanic | 43.9% | 28.1% | Modesto + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Modesto
$77,899
Stamford
$107,474
Stamford +
Per Capita Income
Modesto
$34,656
Stamford
$64,382
Stamford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Modesto
$77,230
Stamford
$85,393
Stamford +
Unemployment Rate
Modesto
7.3%
Stamford
4.9%
Stamford +
Poverty Rate
Modesto
13.0%
Stamford
9.5%
Stamford +
Bachelor's Degree+
Modesto
20.3%
Stamford
51.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,899 | $107,474 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,656 | $64,382 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $85,393 | Stamford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.3% | 4.9% | Stamford + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.0% | 9.5% | Stamford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.3% | 51.7% | Stamford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Modesto
$447,353
Modesto +
Stamford
$708,498
Homeownership Rate
Modesto
58.4%
Modesto +
Stamford
47.5%
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $447,353 | $708,498 | Modesto + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 47.5% | Modesto + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
503
Stamford
156
Stamford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
2388
Stamford
1524
Stamford +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 156 | Stamford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1524 | Stamford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Modesto
36.2%
Stamford
25.5%
Stamford +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Modesto
12.1%
Stamford
8.6%
Stamford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Modesto
19.0%
Stamford
14.4%
Stamford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.0%
Stamford
12.3%
Stamford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Modesto
16.5%
Stamford
16.4%
Stamford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.7%
Stamford
8.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 25.5% | Stamford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 8.6% | Stamford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 14.4% | Stamford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.3% | Stamford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.4% | Stamford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 8.7% | Stamford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
63.7°F
Stamford
52.3°F
Stamford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
13.1 in
Modesto +
Stamford
53.2 in
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.7°F | 52.3°F | Stamford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.1 in | 53.2 in | Modesto + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Modesto
7.9 µg/m³
Stamford
7.7 µg/m³
Stamford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Modesto
75.0%
Stamford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Stamford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Modesto
30.5 min
Stamford
30.1 min
Stamford +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.5 min | 30.1 min | Stamford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Stamford leads in median household income at $107,474, while modesto offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $447,353. On public safety, Stamford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Modesto. Stamford has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Stamford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Stamford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.5%.
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