Modesto CA vs Vancouver 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%
Vancouver, WA
Washington · Population: 192,696
- Median HH Income$78,156
- Median Home Price$510,577
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Modesto
218,614
Modesto +
Vancouver
192,696
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Modesto
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
Median Age
Modesto
35.4
Modesto +
Vancouver
37.5
Foreign Born
Modesto
18.7%
Modesto +
Vancouver
13.6%
White
Modesto
50.8%
Vancouver
70.6%
Vancouver +
Black
Modesto
4.7%
Modesto +
Vancouver
3.1%
Asian
Modesto
7.4%
Modesto +
Vancouver
5.3%
Hispanic
Modesto
43.9%
Modesto +
Vancouver
17.2%
Spanish at Home
Modesto
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,614 | 192,696 | Modesto + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 37.5 | Modesto + |
| Foreign Born | 18.7% | 13.6% | Modesto + |
| White | 50.8% | 70.6% | Vancouver + |
| Black | 4.7% | 3.1% | Modesto + |
| Asian | 7.4% | 5.3% | Modesto + |
| Hispanic | 43.9% | 17.2% | Modesto + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Modesto
$77,899
Vancouver
$78,156
Vancouver +
Per Capita Income
Modesto
$34,656
Vancouver
$42,839
Vancouver +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Modesto
$77,230
Modesto +
Vancouver
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Modesto
7.3%
Vancouver
5.6%
Vancouver +
Poverty Rate
Modesto
13.0%
Vancouver
11.1%
Vancouver +
Bachelor's Degree+
Modesto
20.3%
Vancouver
31.5%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,899 | $78,156 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,656 | $42,839 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,120 | Modesto + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.3% | 5.6% | Vancouver + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.0% | 11.1% | Vancouver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.3% | 31.5% | Vancouver + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Modesto
$447,353
Modesto +
Vancouver
$510,577
Homeownership Rate
Modesto
58.4%
Modesto +
Vancouver
49.9%
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $447,353 | $510,577 | Modesto + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 49.9% | Modesto + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
503
Vancouver
383
Vancouver +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
2388
Modesto +
Vancouver
3409
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 383 | Vancouver + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3409 | Modesto + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Modesto
36.2%
Vancouver
36.2%
Tie
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Modesto
12.1%
Vancouver
9.9%
Vancouver +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Modesto
19.0%
Modesto +
Vancouver
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.0%
Vancouver
9.4%
Vancouver +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Modesto
16.5%
Vancouver
16.3%
Vancouver +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.7%
Vancouver
11.7%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 36.2% | Tie |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 9.9% | Vancouver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 19.1% | Modesto + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 9.4% | Vancouver + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.3% | Vancouver + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 11.7% | Vancouver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
63.7°F
Vancouver
52.1°F
Vancouver +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
13.1 in
Modesto +
Vancouver
41.6 in
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.7°F | 52.1°F | Vancouver + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.1 in | 41.6 in | Modesto + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Modesto
7.9 µg/m³
Vancouver
7.5 µg/m³
Vancouver +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Modesto
75.0%
Vancouver
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Vancouver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Modesto
30.5 min
Vancouver
25.1 min
Vancouver +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.5 min | 25.1 min | Vancouver + |
Which City is Right for You?
Vancouver leads in median household income at $78,156, while modesto offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $447,353. On public safety, Vancouver is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Modesto. Vancouver has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and Vancouver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Vancouver scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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