Modesto CA vs Temecula CA — 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%
Temecula, CA
California · Population: 110,404
- Median HH Income$117,840
- Median Home Price$769,756
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+39.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Modesto
218,614
Modesto +
Temecula
110,404
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Modesto
N/A
Temecula
N/A
Median Age
Modesto
35.4
Modesto +
Temecula
36.3
Foreign Born
Modesto
18.7%
Modesto +
Temecula
16.6%
White
Modesto
50.8%
Temecula
57.0%
Temecula +
Black
Modesto
4.7%
Modesto +
Temecula
4.3%
Asian
Modesto
7.4%
Temecula
11.5%
Temecula +
Hispanic
Modesto
43.9%
Modesto +
Temecula
28.5%
Spanish at Home
Modesto
N/A
Temecula
N/A
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Temecula, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,614 | 110,404 | Modesto + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 36.3 | Modesto + |
| Foreign Born | 18.7% | 16.6% | Modesto + |
| White | 50.8% | 57.0% | Temecula + |
| Black | 4.7% | 4.3% | Modesto + |
| Asian | 7.4% | 11.5% | Temecula + |
| Hispanic | 43.9% | 28.5% | Modesto + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Modesto
$77,899
Temecula
$117,840
Temecula +
Per Capita Income
Modesto
$34,656
Temecula
$44,826
Temecula +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Modesto
$77,230
Temecula
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Modesto
7.3%
Temecula
5.8%
Temecula +
Poverty Rate
Modesto
13.0%
Temecula
7.4%
Temecula +
Bachelor's Degree+
Modesto
20.3%
Temecula
39.2%
Temecula +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Temecula, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,899 | $117,840 | Temecula + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,656 | $44,826 | Temecula + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.3% | 5.8% | Temecula + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.0% | 7.4% | Temecula + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.3% | 39.2% | Temecula + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Modesto
$447,353
Modesto +
Temecula
$769,756
Homeownership Rate
Modesto
58.4%
Temecula
67.7%
Temecula +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Temecula, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $447,353 | $769,756 | Modesto + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 67.7% | Temecula + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
503
Temecula
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
2388
Temecula
2388
Tie
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Temecula, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 503 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2388 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Modesto
36.2%
Temecula
33.0%
Temecula +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Modesto
12.1%
Temecula
9.6%
Temecula +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Modesto
19.0%
Temecula
16.6%
Temecula +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.0%
Temecula
6.8%
Temecula +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Modesto
16.5%
Temecula
15.9%
Temecula +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.7%
Temecula
9.8%
Temecula +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Temecula, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 33.0% | Temecula + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 9.6% | Temecula + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 16.6% | Temecula + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 6.8% | Temecula + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 15.9% | Temecula + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 9.8% | Temecula + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
63.7°F
Temecula
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
13.1 in
Temecula
N/A
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Temecula, CA | 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
Temecula
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Modesto
75.0%
Temecula
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Temecula, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Modesto
30.5 min
Modesto +
Temecula
38.7 min
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Temecula, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.5 min | 38.7 min | Modesto + |
Which City is Right for You?
Temecula leads in median household income at $117,840, while modesto offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $447,353. On public safety, Temecula is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Modesto. Temecula has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Temecula has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Temecula scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.0%.
Compare More Cities
Modesto, CA vs New York, NYLos Angeles, CA vs Modesto, CAChicago, IL vs Modesto, CAHouston, TX vs Modesto, CAModesto, CA vs Phoenix, AZModesto, CA vs Philadelphia, PA