Modesto CA vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Modesto
218,614
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Modesto
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Modesto
35.4
Washington
34.9
Washington +
Foreign Born
Modesto
18.7%
Modesto +
Washington
13.3%
White
Modesto
50.8%
Modesto +
Washington
39.1%
Black
Modesto
4.7%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Modesto
7.4%
Modesto +
Washington
4.1%
Hispanic
Modesto
43.9%
Modesto +
Washington
11.6%
Spanish at Home
Modesto
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,614 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 34.9 | Washington + |
| Foreign Born | 18.7% | 13.3% | Modesto + |
| White | 50.8% | 39.1% | Modesto + |
| Black | 4.7% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 7.4% | 4.1% | Modesto + |
| Hispanic | 43.9% | 11.6% | Modesto + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Modesto
$77,899
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
Modesto
$34,656
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Modesto
$77,230
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Modesto
7.3%
Washington
6.5%
Washington +
Poverty Rate
Modesto
13.0%
Modesto +
Washington
14.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Modesto
20.3%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,899 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,656 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.3% | 6.5% | Washington + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.0% | 14.5% | Modesto + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.3% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Modesto
$447,353
Modesto +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
Modesto
58.4%
Modesto +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $447,353 | $580,173 | Modesto + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 41.1% | Modesto + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
503
Washington
398
Washington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
2388
Washington
1999
Washington +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 398 | Washington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1999 | Washington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Modesto
36.2%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Modesto
12.1%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Modesto
19.0%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.0%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Modesto
16.5%
Modesto +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.7%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 24.0% | Modesto + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
63.7°F
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
13.1 in
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Washington, DC | 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
Modesto +
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Modesto
75.0%
Washington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Modesto + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Modesto
30.5 min
Modesto +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.5 min | 32.8 min | Modesto + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, while modesto offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $447,353. On public safety, Washington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Modesto. Washington has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Modesto has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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