Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Modesto, CA
VS
Portland, OR
🏆 Modesto leads 12 of 23 categories
Modesto
California
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.0⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$73,375
Violent Crime Index
173⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
218,308
Portland
Oregon
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
106.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$85,876 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
190⚠ High
Population
646,101 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Modesto, CA
Pros
Homes cost $141k less ($381,800 vs $523,100)
9% less violent crime than Portland
Milder winters — January highs near 56°F vs 47°F
Cons
Violent crime (655.7/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Portland by $12,501/yr
Higher unemployment (7.8% vs 5.6%)
Longer commutes — 29.4 min average each way
Portland, OR
Pros
More college-educated — 52.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.2 pts lower (5.6%)
Households earn $12,501 more per year on average
Commutes run 5 min shorter each way
Cooler summers — July highs near 80°F vs 95°F
Smaller class sizes — 16.0:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $523,100
Violent crime (720.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (5526.2/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Modesto
Cost of Living
2% cheaper
COL index 105.0 vs 106.6 (100 = US avg)
Modesto
Violent Crime
9% lower
655.7 vs 720.1 per 100k
Modesto
Median Home Value
$141k less
$381,800 vs $523,100
Modesto
Summer Heat
14.7°F warmer
July avg high 95.0°F vs 80.3°F
Portland
Median Income
$12,501
$85,876 vs $73,375/yr
Portland
Unemployment
2.2 pp lower
5.6% vs 7.8% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Portland, OR |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 105.0⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 106.6⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $381,800⚠ High ✓ Lower | $523,100⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,497⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,530⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $73,375 | $85,876 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.8%⚠ High | 5.6%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 29.4 min⚠ High | 24.8 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 6.9% | 22.0% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 150⚠ High ✓ Safer | 219⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 173⚠ High ✓ Safer | 190⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 115⚠ High ✓ Safer | 263⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C- (65) | A- (112) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 21.8:1 | 16.0:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 19.7% | 52.5% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 83.6% | 93.4% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Modesto City Elementary | Portland SD 1J |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 56.1°F ✓ Warmer | 46.9°F |
| Avg High — July | 95.0°F ✓ Warmer | 80.3°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 12.3" ✓ Drier | 44.9" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 3.6" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 218,308 | 646,101 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 38.3 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.7% ✓ Higher | 53.3% |
| Under 18 | 26.5% ✓ More | 16.8% |
| Over 65 | 13.9% | 14.0% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Modesto's cost of living index is 105.0 vs Portland's 106.6 (US average = 100).
Modesto is 2% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Modesto leads 12 of 23 categories. Modesto wins 12 and Portland wins 11. 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 Portland or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($381,800 vs $523,100 median home), income ($73,375 vs $85,876), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Modesto, CA and Portland, OR are about 552 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.