Modesto CA vs Tucson 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%
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Modesto
218,614
Tucson
543,348
Tucson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Modesto
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
Modesto
35.4
Tucson
34.6
Tucson +
Foreign Born
Modesto
18.7%
Modesto +
Tucson
13.7%
White
Modesto
50.8%
Tucson
58.2%
Tucson +
Black
Modesto
4.7%
Tucson
5.0%
Tucson +
Asian
Modesto
7.4%
Modesto +
Tucson
3.1%
Hispanic
Modesto
43.9%
Modesto +
Tucson
42.7%
Spanish at Home
Modesto
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,614 | 543,348 | Tucson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 34.6 | Tucson + |
| Foreign Born | 18.7% | 13.7% | Modesto + |
| White | 50.8% | 58.2% | Tucson + |
| Black | 4.7% | 5.0% | Tucson + |
| Asian | 7.4% | 3.1% | Modesto + |
| Hispanic | 43.9% | 42.7% | Modesto + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Modesto
$77,899
Modesto +
Tucson
$54,546
Per Capita Income
Modesto
$34,656
Modesto +
Tucson
$31,152
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Modesto
$77,230
Modesto +
Tucson
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Modesto
7.3%
Tucson
6.4%
Tucson +
Poverty Rate
Modesto
13.0%
Modesto +
Tucson
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Modesto
20.3%
Tucson
30.2%
Tucson +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,899 | $54,546 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,656 | $31,152 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Modesto + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.3% | 6.4% | Tucson + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.0% | 18.8% | Modesto + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.3% | 30.2% | Tucson + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Modesto
$447,353
Tucson
$324,946
Tucson +
Homeownership Rate
Modesto
58.4%
Modesto +
Tucson
51.7%
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $447,353 | $324,946 | Tucson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 51.7% | Modesto + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
503
Tucson
450
Tucson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
2388
Tucson
2150
Tucson +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 450 | Tucson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2150 | Tucson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Modesto
36.2%
Tucson
33.5%
Tucson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Modesto
12.1%
Tucson
11.5%
Tucson +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Modesto
19.0%
Tucson
18.3%
Tucson +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.0%
Modesto +
Tucson
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Modesto
16.5%
Tucson
14.6%
Tucson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.7%
Tucson
12.5%
Tucson +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 33.5% | Tucson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 11.5% | Tucson + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 18.3% | Tucson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 15.7% | Modesto + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 14.6% | Tucson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 12.5% | Tucson + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
63.7°F
Modesto +
Tucson
69.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
13.1 in
Tucson
12.2 in
Tucson +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.7°F | 69.8°F | Modesto + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.1 in | 12.2 in | Tucson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Modesto
7.9 µg/m³
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Modesto
75.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Modesto
30.5 min
Tucson
23.9 min
Tucson +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.5 min | 23.9 min | Tucson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Modesto leads in median household income at $77,899, while tucson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,946. On public safety, Tucson is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Modesto. Tucson has a lower unemployment rate at 6.4%, and Tucson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tucson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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