Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Modesto, CA
VS
Phoenix, AZ
🏆 Phoenix leads 15 of 23 categories
Modesto
California
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.0⚠ High
Median Household Income
$73,375 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
173⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
218,308
Phoenix
Arizona
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.4 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$72,092
Violent Crime Index
210⚠ High
Population
1,609,456 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Modesto, CA
Pros
18% less violent crime than Phoenix
Cooler summers — July highs near 95°F vs 104°F
Cons
Violent crime (655.7/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher rents — median is $1,497/mo
Pricier housing — median home is $381,800
Higher unemployment (7.8% vs 5.2%)
Phoenix, AZ
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.6 pts lower (5.2%)
Rent averages $175/mo less ($1,322 vs $1,497)
Homes cost $42k less ($340,200 vs $381,800)
More college-educated — 31.2% hold a bachelor's or higher
Commutes run 4 min shorter each way
Milder winters — January highs near 65°F vs 56°F
Cons
Violent crime (799.6/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Hot summers — July highs average 104°F
Key Differences at a Glance
Modesto
Median Income
$1,283
$73,375 vs $72,092/yr
Modesto
Violent Crime
18% lower
655.7 vs 799.6 per 100k
Phoenix
Cost of Living
7% cheaper
COL index 98.4 vs 105.0 (100 = US avg)
Phoenix
Median Home Value
$42k less
$340,200 vs $381,800
Phoenix
Unemployment
2.6 pp lower
5.2% vs 7.8% unemployment
Phoenix
Summer Heat
9.0°F warmer
July avg high 104.0°F vs 95.0°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Phoenix, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 105.0⚠ High | 98.4 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $381,800⚠ High | $340,200⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,497⚠ High | $1,322 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $73,375 ✓ Higher | $72,092 |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.8%⚠ High | 5.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 29.4 min⚠ High | 25.7 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 6.9% | 14.4% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 150⚠ High ✓ Safer | 171⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 173⚠ High ✓ Safer | 210⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 115⚠ High | 111⚠ High ✓ 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 | 15.7:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 19.7% | 31.2% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 83.6% | 83.9% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Modesto City Elementary | Paradise Valley Unified District (4241) |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 56.1°F | 65.4°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 95.0°F | 104.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 12.3" | 8.5" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 0.2" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 218,308 | 1,609,456 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 34.9 ✓ Older | 34.4 |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.7% ✓ Higher | 56.4% |
| Under 18 | 26.5% ✓ More | 24.5% |
| Over 65 | 13.9% ✓ More | 11.5% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Modesto's cost of living index is 105.0 vs Phoenix's 98.4 (US average = 100).
Phoenix is 7% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Phoenix leads 15 of 23 categories. Modesto wins 8 and Phoenix wins 15. 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 Phoenix or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($381,800 vs $340,200 median home), income ($73,375 vs $72,092), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Modesto, CA and Phoenix, AZ are about 574 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.