Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Modesto, CA
VS
Nashville-Davidson, TN
🏆 Modesto leads 12 of 22 categories
Modesto
California
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.0⚠ High
Median Household Income
$73,375 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
173⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
218,308
Nashville-Davidson
Tennessee
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
97.4 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$71,328
Violent Crime Index
296⚠ High
Population
684,103 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Modesto, CA
Pros
42% less violent crime than Nashville-Davidson
Milder winters — January highs near 56°F vs 48°F
Cons
Violent crime (655.7/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher unemployment (7.8% vs 4.6%)
Longer commutes — 29.4 min average each way
Pricier housing — median home is $381,800
Nashville-Davidson, TN
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.2 pts lower (4.6%)
More college-educated — 45.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Commutes run 5 min shorter each way
Homes cost $30k less ($351,400 vs $381,800)
8% cheaper overall cost of living than Modesto
Rent averages $105/mo less ($1,392 vs $1,497)
Cons
Violent crime (1124.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (4509.5/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Modesto
Median Income
$2,047
$73,375 vs $71,328/yr
Modesto
Violent Crime
42% lower
655.7 vs 1124.1 per 100k
Modesto
Summer Heat
5.7°F warmer
July avg high 95.0°F vs 89.3°F
Nashville-Davidson
Cost of Living
8% cheaper
COL index 97.4 vs 105.0 (100 = US avg)
Nashville-Davidson
Median Home Value
$30k less
$351,400 vs $381,800
Nashville-Davidson
Unemployment
3.2 pp lower
4.6% vs 7.8% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Nashville-Davidson, TN |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 105.0⚠ High | 97.4 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $381,800⚠ High | $351,400⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,497⚠ High | $1,392⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $73,375 ✓ Higher | $71,328 |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.8%⚠ High | 4.6%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 29.4 min⚠ High | 24.8 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 6.9% | 15.5% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 150⚠ High ✓ Safer | 263⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 173⚠ High ✓ Safer | 296⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 115⚠ High ✓ Safer | 215⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C- (65) | A- (110) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 21.8:1 | — |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 19.7% | 45.5% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 83.6% | 90.2% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Modesto City Elementary | Davidson County |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 56.1°F ✓ Warmer | 48.0°F |
| Avg High — July | 95.0°F ✓ Warmer | 89.3°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 12.3" ✓ Drier | 54.7" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 4.7" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 218,308 | 684,103 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 34.9 ✓ Older | 34.6 |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.7% ✓ Higher | 53.8% |
| Under 18 | 26.5% ✓ More | 20.3% |
| Over 65 | 13.9% ✓ More | 12.6% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Modesto's cost of living index is 105.0 vs Nashville-Davidson's 97.4 (US average = 100).
Nashville-Davidson is 8% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Modesto leads 12 of 22 categories. Modesto wins 12 and Nashville-Davidson wins 10. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Modesto to Nashville-Davidson or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($381,800 vs $351,400 median home), income ($73,375 vs $71,328), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Modesto, CA and Nashville-Davidson, TN are about 1,883 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.