Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Modesto, CA
VS
Pearland, TX
🏆 Pearland leads 16 of 22 categories
Modesto
California
6
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.0⚠ High
Median Household Income
$73,375
Violent Crime Index
173⚠ High
Population
218,308 ✓ Larger
Pearland
Texas
16
wins
Cost of Living Index
100.2⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$111,123 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
25 ✓ Safer
Population
124,478
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Modesto, CA
Pros
Commutes run 4 min shorter each way
Rent averages $125/mo less ($1,497 vs $1,622)
Cons
Median income trails Pearland by $37,748/yr
Violent crime (655.7/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Pricier housing — median home is $381,800
Higher unemployment (7.8% vs 3.2%)
Pearland, TX
Pros
85% less violent crime than Modesto
Households earn $37,748 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 4.6 pts lower (3.2%)
More college-educated — 47.1% hold a bachelor's or higher
Homes cost $71k less ($311,100 vs $381,800)
Violent crime is well below the national average (95.9 vs 380/100k)
Cons
Longer commutes — 33.6 min average each way
Higher rents — median is $1,622/mo
Key Differences at a Glance
Pearland
Cost of Living
5% cheaper
COL index 100.2 vs 105.0 (100 = US avg)
Pearland
Median Income
$37,748
$111,123 vs $73,375/yr
Pearland
Violent Crime
85% lower
95.9 vs 655.7 per 100k
Pearland
Median Home Value
$71k less
$311,100 vs $381,800
Pearland
Unemployment
4.6 pp lower
3.2% vs 7.8% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Pearland, TX |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 105.0⚠ High | 100.2⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $381,800⚠ High | $311,100⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,497⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,622⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $73,375 | $111,123 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.8%⚠ High | 3.2% ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 29.4 min⚠ High ✓ Shorter | 33.6 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 6.9% | 10.3% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 150⚠ High | 43 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 173⚠ High | 25 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 115⚠ High | 69 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C- (65) | A- (115) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 21.8:1 | 16.2:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 19.7% | 47.1% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 83.6% | 94.8% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Modesto City Elementary | PEARLAND ISD |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 56.1°F | 64.6°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 95.0°F ✓ Warmer | 93.3°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 12.3" ✓ Drier | 53.3" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 218,308 ✓ Larger | 124,478 |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 36.2 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.7% | 76.6% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 26.5% | 28.0% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.9% ✓ More | 11.7% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Modesto's cost of living index is 105.0 vs Pearland's 100.2 (US average = 100).
Pearland is 5% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Pearland leads 16 of 22 categories. Modesto wins 6 and Pearland wins 16. 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 Pearland or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($381,800 vs $311,100 median home), income ($73,375 vs $111,123), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Modesto, CA and Pearland, TX are about 1,574 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.