Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Modesto, CA
VS
Portsmouth, VA
🏆 Modesto leads 12 of 23 categories
Modesto
California
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.0⚠ High
Median Household Income
$73,375 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
173⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
218,308 ✓ Larger
Portsmouth
Virginia
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
97.4 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$57,154
Violent Crime Index
198⚠ High
Population
97,384
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Modesto, CA
Pros
13% less violent crime than Portsmouth
Households earn $16,221 more per year on average
Milder winters — January highs near 56°F vs 49°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
Higher unemployment (7.8% vs 6.6%)
Portsmouth, VA
Pros
Homes cost $169k less ($213,300 vs $381,800)
Rent averages $272/mo less ($1,225 vs $1,497)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.2 pts lower (6.6%)
Commutes run 6 min shorter each way
8% cheaper overall cost of living than Modesto
Cooler summers — July highs near 88°F vs 95°F
Cons
Violent crime (752.4/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Modesto by $16,221/yr
Property crime (3860.8/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Modesto
Median Income
$16,221
$73,375 vs $57,154/yr
Modesto
Violent Crime
13% lower
655.7 vs 752.4 per 100k
Modesto
Summer Heat
7.0°F warmer
July avg high 95.0°F vs 88.0°F
Portsmouth
Cost of Living
8% cheaper
COL index 97.4 vs 105.0 (100 = US avg)
Portsmouth
Median Home Value
$169k less
$213,300 vs $381,800
Portsmouth
Unemployment
1.2 pp lower
6.6% vs 7.8% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Portsmouth, VA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 105.0⚠ High | 97.4 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $381,800⚠ High | $213,300 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,497⚠ High | $1,225 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $73,375 ✓ Higher | $57,154 |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.8%⚠ High | 6.6%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 29.4 min⚠ High | 23.2 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 6.9% ✓ Higher | 6.6% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 150⚠ High ✓ Safer | 192⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 173⚠ High ✓ Safer | 198⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 115⚠ High ✓ Safer | 184⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C- (65) | B- (94) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 21.8:1 | 13.7:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 19.7% | 21.2% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 83.6% | 89.5% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Modesto City Elementary | Portsmouth City Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 56.1°F ✓ Warmer | 48.8°F |
| Avg High — July | 95.0°F ✓ Warmer | 88.0°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 12.3" ✓ Drier | 50.0" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 3.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 218,308 ✓ Larger | 97,384 |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 35.6 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.7% ✓ Higher | 56.1% |
| Under 18 | 26.5% ✓ More | 23.1% |
| Over 65 | 13.9% | 15.1% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Modesto's cost of living index is 105.0 vs Portsmouth's 97.4 (US average = 100).
Portsmouth is 8% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Modesto leads 12 of 23 categories. Modesto wins 12 and Portsmouth 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 Portsmouth or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($381,800 vs $213,300 median home), income ($73,375 vs $57,154), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Modesto, CA and Portsmouth, VA are about 2,432 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.