Modesto CA vs West Palm Beach FL — 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%
West Palm Beach, FL
Florida · Population: 119,508
- Median HH Income$69,261
- Median Home Price$399,650
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+37.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Modesto
218,614
Modesto +
West Palm Beach
119,508
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Modesto
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
Median Age
Modesto
35.4
Modesto +
West Palm Beach
40.2
Foreign Born
Modesto
18.7%
West Palm Beach
27.2%
West Palm Beach +
White
Modesto
50.8%
Modesto +
West Palm Beach
44.0%
Black
Modesto
4.7%
West Palm Beach
31.5%
West Palm Beach +
Asian
Modesto
7.4%
Modesto +
West Palm Beach
2.5%
Hispanic
Modesto
43.9%
Modesto +
West Palm Beach
24.6%
Spanish at Home
Modesto
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
| Metric | Modesto, CA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,614 | 119,508 | Modesto + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 40.2 | Modesto + |
| Foreign Born | 18.7% | 27.2% | West Palm Beach + |
| White | 50.8% | 44.0% | Modesto + |
| Black | 4.7% | 31.5% | West Palm Beach + |
| Asian | 7.4% | 2.5% | Modesto + |
| Hispanic | 43.9% | 24.6% | Modesto + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Modesto
$77,899
Modesto +
West Palm Beach
$69,261
Per Capita Income
Modesto
$34,656
West Palm Beach
$44,508
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Modesto
$77,230
Modesto +
West Palm Beach
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Modesto
7.3%
West Palm Beach
5.4%
West Palm Beach +
Poverty Rate
Modesto
13.0%
Modesto +
West Palm Beach
14.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Modesto
20.3%
West Palm Beach
37.6%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,899 | $69,261 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,656 | $44,508 | West Palm Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $65,328 | Modesto + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.3% | 5.4% | West Palm Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.0% | 14.8% | Modesto + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.3% | 37.6% | West Palm Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Modesto
$447,353
West Palm Beach
$399,650
West Palm Beach +
Homeownership Rate
Modesto
58.4%
Modesto +
West Palm Beach
50.2%
| Metric | Modesto, CA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $447,353 | $399,650 | West Palm Beach + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 50.2% | Modesto + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
503
West Palm Beach
324
West Palm Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
2388
West Palm Beach
1453
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 324 | West Palm Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1453 | West Palm Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Modesto
36.2%
West Palm Beach
29.1%
West Palm Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Modesto
12.1%
Modesto +
West Palm Beach
13.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Modesto
19.0%
West Palm Beach
16.4%
West Palm Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.0%
Modesto +
West Palm Beach
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Modesto
16.5%
West Palm Beach
13.3%
West Palm Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.7%
West Palm Beach
13.0%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 29.1% | West Palm Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 13.7% | Modesto + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 16.4% | West Palm Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 16.9% | Modesto + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 13.3% | West Palm Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 13.0% | West Palm Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
63.7°F
Modesto +
West Palm Beach
75.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
13.1 in
Modesto +
West Palm Beach
62.3 in
| Metric | Modesto, CA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.7°F | 75.4°F | Modesto + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.1 in | 62.3 in | Modesto + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Modesto
7.9 µg/m³
West Palm Beach
7.2 µg/m³
West Palm Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Modesto
75.0%
West Palm Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Modesto, CA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | West Palm Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Modesto
30.5 min
West Palm Beach
25.0 min
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.5 min | 25.0 min | West Palm Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
Modesto leads in median household income at $77,899, while west Palm Beach offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $399,650. On public safety, West Palm Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Modesto. West Palm Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and West Palm Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, West Palm Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.1%.
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