Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Modesto, CA
VS
New York, NY
🏆 Modesto leads 13 of 23 categories
Modesto
California
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.0⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$73,375
Violent Crime Index
173⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
218,308
New York
New York
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
112.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$76,607 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
177⚠ High
Population
8,622,467 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Modesto, CA
Pros
Homes cost $350k less ($381,800 vs $732,100)
Commutes run 12 min shorter each way
Rent averages $217/mo less ($1,497 vs $1,714)
Milder winters — January highs near 56°F vs 40°F
8% cheaper overall cost of living than New York
Cons
Violent crime (655.7/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails New York by $3,232/yr
New York, NY
Pros
More college-educated — 40.2% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 85°F vs 95°F
Smaller class sizes — 12.8:1 student-teacher ratio
Households earn $3,232 more per year on average
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $732,100
Violent crime (671.0/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher rents — median is $1,714/mo
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 112.5)
Key Differences at a Glance
Modesto
Cost of Living
8% cheaper
COL index 105.0 vs 112.5 (100 = US avg)
Modesto
Violent Crime
2% lower
655.7 vs 671.0 per 100k
Modesto
Median Home Value
$350k less
$381,800 vs $732,100
Modesto
Summer Heat
10.2°F warmer
July avg high 95.0°F vs 84.8°F
New York
Median Income
$3,232
$76,607 vs $73,375/yr
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Modesto, CA | New York, NY |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 105.0⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 112.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $381,800⚠ High ✓ Lower | $732,100⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,497⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,714⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $73,375 | $76,607 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.8%⚠ High | 7.6%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 29.4 min⚠ High ✓ Shorter | 41.1 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 6.9% | 13.0% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 150⚠ High ✓ Safer | 151⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 173⚠ High ✓ Safer | 177⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 115⚠ High | 113⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C- (65) | B+ (108) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 21.8:1 | 12.8:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 19.7% | 40.2% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 83.6% ✓ Higher | 83.3% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Modesto City Elementary | NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 2 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 56.1°F ✓ Warmer | 39.7°F |
| Avg High — July | 95.0°F ✓ Warmer | 84.8°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 12.3" ✓ Drier | 47.1" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 24.5" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 218,308 | 8,622,467 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 37.5 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.7% ✓ Higher | 32.9% |
| Under 18 | 26.5% ✓ More | 20.6% |
| Over 65 | 13.9% | 15.5% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Modesto's cost of living index is 105.0 vs New York's 112.5 (US average = 100).
Modesto is 8% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Modesto leads 13 of 23 categories. Modesto wins 13 and New York 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 New York or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($381,800 vs $732,100 median home), income ($73,375 vs $76,607), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Modesto, CA and New York, NY are about 2,500 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.