Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Modesto, CA
VS
Philadelphia, PA
🏆 Modesto leads 13 of 23 categories
Modesto
California
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.0⚠ High
Median Household Income
$73,375 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
173⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
218,308
Philadelphia
Pennsylvania
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$57,537
Violent Crime Index
239⚠ High
Population
1,593,208 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Modesto, CA
Pros
28% less violent crime than Philadelphia
Households earn $15,838 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.8 pts lower (7.8%)
Commutes run 3 min shorter each way
Milder winters — January highs near 56°F vs 42°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $381,800
Violent crime (655.7/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher rents — median is $1,497/mo
Philadelphia, PA
Pros
Homes cost $166k less ($215,500 vs $381,800)
Rent averages $247/mo less ($1,250 vs $1,497)
More college-educated — 33.6% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 89°F vs 95°F
Smaller class sizes — 15.0:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Violent crime (908.7/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Modesto by $15,838/yr
Property crime (4548.2/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (8.6% vs 7.8%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Modesto
Median Income
$15,838
$73,375 vs $57,537/yr
Modesto
Violent Crime
28% lower
655.7 vs 908.7 per 100k
Modesto
Unemployment
0.8 pp lower
7.8% vs 8.6% unemployment
Modesto
Summer Heat
5.7°F warmer
July avg high 95.0°F vs 89.3°F
Philadelphia
Cost of Living
2% cheaper
COL index 103.5 vs 105.0 (100 = US avg)
Philadelphia
Median Home Value
$166k less
$215,500 vs $381,800
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Philadelphia, PA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 105.0⚠ High | 103.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $381,800⚠ High | $215,500 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,497⚠ High | $1,250 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $73,375 ✓ Higher | $57,537 |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 8.6%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 29.4 min⚠ High ✓ Shorter | 32.8 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 6.9% | 13.8% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 150⚠ High ✓ Safer | 230⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 173⚠ High ✓ Safer | 239⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 115⚠ High ✓ Safer | 217⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C- (65) | B- (92) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 21.8:1 | 15.0:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 19.7% | 33.6% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 83.6% | 86.9% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Modesto City Elementary | Philadelphia City SD |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 56.1°F ✓ Warmer | 41.6°F |
| Avg High — July | 95.0°F ✓ Warmer | 89.3°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 12.3" ✓ Drier | 50.7" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 16.1" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 218,308 | 1,593,208 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 34.9 ✓ Older | 34.8 |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.7% ✓ Higher | 52.2% |
| Under 18 | 26.5% ✓ More | 21.5% |
| Over 65 | 13.9% | 14.0% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Modesto's cost of living index is 105.0 vs Philadelphia's 103.5 (US average = 100).
Philadelphia is 2% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Modesto leads 13 of 23 categories. Modesto wins 13 and Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($381,800 vs $215,500 median home), income ($73,375 vs $57,537), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Modesto, CA and Philadelphia, PA are about 2,447 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.