Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Modesto, CA
VS
Ontario, CA
🏆 Modesto leads 13 of 21 categories
Modesto
California
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.0⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$73,375
Violent Crime Index
173⚠ High
Population
218,308 ✓ Larger
Ontario
California
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
107.9⚠ High
Median Household Income
$78,070 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
72 ✓ Safer
Population
176,326
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Modesto, CA
Pros
Homes cost $131k less ($381,800 vs $513,000)
Rent averages $329/mo less ($1,497 vs $1,826)
3% cheaper overall cost of living than Ontario
Cons
Violent crime (655.7/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher unemployment (7.8% vs 5.8%)
Median income trails Ontario by $4,695/yr
Ontario, CA
Pros
58% less violent crime than Modesto
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.0 pts lower (5.8%)
Milder winters — January highs near 68°F vs 56°F
Households earn $4,695 more per year on average
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $513,000
Higher rents — median is $1,826/mo
Cost of living runs 3% higher than Modesto
Key Differences at a Glance
Modesto
Cost of Living
3% cheaper
COL index 105.0 vs 107.9 (100 = US avg)
Modesto
Median Home Value
$131k less
$381,800 vs $513,000
Ontario
Median Income
$4,695
$78,070 vs $73,375/yr
Ontario
Violent Crime
58% lower
272.2 vs 655.7 per 100k
Ontario
Unemployment
2.0 pp lower
5.8% vs 7.8% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Ontario, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 105.0⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 107.9⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $381,800⚠ High ✓ Lower | $513,000⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,497⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,826⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $73,375 | $78,070 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.8%⚠ High | 5.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 29.4 min⚠ High ✓ Shorter | 31.3 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 6.9% ✓ Higher | 6.2% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 150⚠ High | 78 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 173⚠ High | 72 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 115⚠ High | 87 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C- (65) | C- (65) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 21.8:1 | 21.4:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 19.7% ✓ Higher | 19.2% |
| High School or Higher | 83.6% ✓ Higher | 76.2% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Modesto City Elementary | Ontario-Montclair |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 56.1°F | 67.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 95.0°F ✓ Warmer | 93.8°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 12.3" | 11.6" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 218,308 ✓ Larger | 176,326 |
| Median Age | 34.9 ✓ Older | 32.6 |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.7% ✓ Higher | 55.7% |
| Under 18 | 26.5% ✓ More | 24.9% |
| Over 65 | 13.9% ✓ More | 10.0% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Modesto's cost of living index is 105.0 vs Ontario's 107.9 (US average = 100).
Modesto is 3% less expensive overall.
Based on the 21 decided categories above, Modesto leads 13 of 21 categories. Modesto wins 13 and Ontario wins 8. 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 Ontario or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($381,800 vs $513,000 median home), income ($73,375 vs $78,070), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Modesto, CA and Ontario, CA are about 313 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.