Modesto CA vs Tacoma WA — 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Modesto
218,614
Tacoma
220,482
Tacoma +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Modesto
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Modesto
35.4
Modesto +
Tacoma
37.3
Foreign Born
Modesto
18.7%
Modesto +
Tacoma
12.2%
White
Modesto
50.8%
Tacoma
59.4%
Tacoma +
Black
Modesto
4.7%
Tacoma
10.5%
Tacoma +
Asian
Modesto
7.4%
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Hispanic
Modesto
43.9%
Modesto +
Tacoma
13.1%
Spanish at Home
Modesto
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,614 | 220,482 | Tacoma + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 37.3 | Modesto + |
| Foreign Born | 18.7% | 12.2% | Modesto + |
| White | 50.8% | 59.4% | Tacoma + |
| Black | 4.7% | 10.5% | Tacoma + |
| Asian | 7.4% | 8.8% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 43.9% | 13.1% | Modesto + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Modesto
$77,899
Tacoma
$83,857
Tacoma +
Per Capita Income
Modesto
$34,656
Tacoma
$44,756
Tacoma +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Modesto
$77,230
Modesto +
Tacoma
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Modesto
7.3%
Tacoma
5.3%
Tacoma +
Poverty Rate
Modesto
13.0%
Tacoma
12.0%
Tacoma +
Bachelor's Degree+
Modesto
20.3%
Tacoma
33.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,899 | $83,857 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,656 | $44,756 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,120 | Modesto + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.3% | 5.3% | Tacoma + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.0% | 12.0% | Tacoma + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.3% | 33.5% | Tacoma + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Modesto
$447,353
Modesto +
Tacoma
$496,966
Homeownership Rate
Modesto
58.4%
Modesto +
Tacoma
56.5%
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $447,353 | $496,966 | Modesto + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 56.5% | Modesto + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
503
Tacoma
383
Tacoma +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
2388
Modesto +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 383 | Tacoma + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3409 | Modesto + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Modesto
36.2%
Modesto +
Tacoma
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Modesto
12.1%
Tacoma
10.9%
Tacoma +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Modesto
19.0%
Tacoma
18.7%
Tacoma +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.0%
Tacoma
9.3%
Tacoma +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Modesto
16.5%
Modesto +
Tacoma
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.7%
Tacoma
11.9%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 37.3% | Modesto + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 10.9% | Tacoma + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 18.7% | Tacoma + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 9.3% | Tacoma + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.8% | Modesto + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 11.9% | Tacoma + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
63.7°F
Tacoma
53.5°F
Tacoma +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
13.1 in
Modesto +
Tacoma
39.2 in
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.7°F | 53.5°F | Tacoma + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.1 in | 39.2 in | Modesto + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Modesto
7.9 µg/m³
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Modesto
75.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tacoma + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Modesto
30.5 min
Modesto +
Tacoma
31.1 min
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.5 min | 31.1 min | Modesto + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tacoma leads in median household income at $83,857, while modesto offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $447,353. On public safety, Tacoma is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Modesto. Tacoma has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Tacoma has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Modesto scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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