Modesto CA vs Tempe AZ — 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%
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Modesto
218,614
Modesto +
Tempe
186,419
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Modesto
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
Modesto
35.4
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
Modesto
18.7%
Modesto +
Tempe
13.9%
White
Modesto
50.8%
Tempe
60.1%
Tempe +
Black
Modesto
4.7%
Tempe
7.8%
Tempe +
Asian
Modesto
7.4%
Tempe
9.5%
Tempe +
Hispanic
Modesto
43.9%
Modesto +
Tempe
23.1%
Spanish at Home
Modesto
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,614 | 186,419 | Modesto + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 18.7% | 13.9% | Modesto + |
| White | 50.8% | 60.1% | Tempe + |
| Black | 4.7% | 7.8% | Tempe + |
| Asian | 7.4% | 9.5% | Tempe + |
| Hispanic | 43.9% | 23.1% | Modesto + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Modesto
$77,899
Modesto +
Tempe
$77,643
Per Capita Income
Modesto
$34,656
Tempe
$42,371
Tempe +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Modesto
$77,230
Modesto +
Tempe
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Modesto
7.3%
Tempe
5.7%
Tempe +
Poverty Rate
Modesto
13.0%
Modesto +
Tempe
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Modesto
20.3%
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,899 | $77,643 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,656 | $42,371 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Modesto + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.3% | 5.7% | Tempe + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.0% | 16.2% | Modesto + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.3% | 49.5% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Modesto
$447,353
Modesto +
Tempe
$468,328
Homeownership Rate
Modesto
58.4%
Modesto +
Tempe
41.6%
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $447,353 | $468,328 | Modesto + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 41.6% | Modesto + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
503
Tempe
450
Tempe +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
2388
Tempe
2150
Tempe +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 450 | Tempe + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2150 | Tempe + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Modesto
36.2%
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Modesto
12.1%
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Modesto
19.0%
Tempe
16.6%
Tempe +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.0%
Tempe
10.7%
Tempe +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Modesto
16.5%
Modesto +
Tempe
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.7%
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 27.2% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 7.2% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 16.6% | Tempe + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 10.7% | Tempe + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 18.3% | Modesto + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 9.1% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
63.7°F
Modesto +
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
13.1 in
Tempe
9.3 in
Tempe +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.7°F | 71.3°F | Modesto + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.1 in | 9.3 in | Tempe + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Modesto
7.9 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Modesto
75.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Modesto
30.5 min
Tempe
23.2 min
Tempe +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.5 min | 23.2 min | Tempe + |
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, Tempe is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Modesto. Tempe has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Tempe has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tempe scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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