Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Modesto, CA
VS
Orange, CA
🏆 Orange leads 14 of 22 categories
Modesto
California
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.0⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$73,375
Violent Crime Index
173⚠ High
Population
218,308 ✓ Larger
Orange
California
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
115.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$109,335 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
60 ✓ Safer
Population
138,728
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Modesto, CA
Pros
Homes cost $466k less ($381,800 vs $848,200)
Rent averages $651/mo less ($1,497 vs $2,148)
11% cheaper overall cost of living than Orange
Smaller class sizes — 21.8:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Median income trails Orange by $35,960/yr
Violent crime (655.7/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher unemployment (7.8% vs 4.7%)
Orange, CA
Pros
66% less violent crime than Modesto
Households earn $35,960 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.1 pts lower (4.7%)
Violent crime is well below the national average (226.1 vs 380/100k)
More college-educated — 40.3% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 69°F vs 56°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $848,200
Higher rents — median is $2,148/mo
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 115.5)
Cost of living runs 11% higher than Modesto
Key Differences at a Glance
Modesto
Cost of Living
11% cheaper
COL index 105.0 vs 115.5 (100 = US avg)
Modesto
Median Home Value
$466k less
$381,800 vs $848,200
Modesto
Summer Heat
12.5°F warmer
July avg high 95.0°F vs 82.5°F
Orange
Median Income
$35,960
$109,335 vs $73,375/yr
Orange
Violent Crime
66% lower
226.1 vs 655.7 per 100k
Orange
Unemployment
3.1 pp lower
4.7% vs 7.8% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Orange, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 105.0⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 115.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $381,800⚠ High ✓ Lower | $848,200⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,497⚠ High ✓ Lower | $2,148⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $73,375 | $109,335 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.8%⚠ High | 4.7%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 29.4 min⚠ High | 26.5 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 6.9% | 14.1% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 150⚠ High | 60 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 173⚠ High | 60 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 115⚠ High | 61 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C- (65) | B (98) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 21.8:1 ✓ Smaller | 24.1:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 19.7% | 40.3% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 83.6% | 88.2% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Modesto City Elementary | Orange Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 56.1°F | 69.3°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 95.0°F ✓ Warmer | 82.5°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 12.3" ✓ Drier | 12.5" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 218,308 ✓ Larger | 138,728 |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 36.5 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.7% | 58.9% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 26.5% ✓ More | 20.5% |
| Over 65 | 13.9% | 14.5% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Modesto's cost of living index is 105.0 vs Orange's 115.5 (US average = 100).
Modesto is 10% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Orange leads 14 of 22 categories. Modesto wins 8 and Orange wins 14. 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 Orange or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($381,800 vs $848,200 median home), income ($73,375 vs $109,335), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Modesto, CA and Orange, CA are about 319 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.