Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Modesto, CA
VS
Quincy, MA
🏆 Quincy leads 12 of 23 categories
Modesto
California
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.0⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$73,375
Violent Crime Index
173⚠ High
Population
218,308 ✓ Larger
Quincy
Massachusetts
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
111.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$90,668 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
88 ✓ Safer
Population
100,981
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Modesto, CA
Pros
Homes cost $181k less ($381,800 vs $563,200)
Rent averages $404/mo less ($1,497 vs $1,901)
Commutes run 5 min shorter each way
Milder winters — January highs near 56°F vs 38°F
7% cheaper overall cost of living than Quincy
Cons
Violent crime (655.7/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Quincy by $17,293/yr
Higher unemployment (7.8% vs 6.7%)
Quincy, MA
Pros
49% less violent crime than Modesto
Households earn $17,293 more per year on average
More college-educated — 46.9% hold a bachelor's or higher
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.1 pts lower (6.7%)
Cooler summers — July highs near 83°F vs 95°F
Smaller class sizes — 13.1:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $563,200
Higher rents — median is $1,901/mo
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 111.6)
Longer commutes — 33.9 min average each way
Key Differences at a Glance
Modesto
Cost of Living
7% cheaper
COL index 105.0 vs 111.6 (100 = US avg)
Modesto
Median Home Value
$181k less
$381,800 vs $563,200
Modesto
Summer Heat
12.0°F warmer
July avg high 95.0°F vs 83.0°F
Quincy
Median Income
$17,293
$90,668 vs $73,375/yr
Quincy
Violent Crime
49% lower
335.1 vs 655.7 per 100k
Quincy
Unemployment
1.1 pp lower
6.7% vs 7.8% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Quincy, MA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 105.0⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 111.6⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $381,800⚠ High ✓ Lower | $563,200⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,497⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,901⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $73,375 | $90,668 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.8%⚠ High | 6.7%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 29.4 min⚠ High ✓ Shorter | 33.9 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 6.9% | 15.1% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 150⚠ High | 78 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 173⚠ High | 88 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 115⚠ High | 63 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C- (65) | A (119) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 21.8:1 | 13.1:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 19.7% | 46.9% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 83.6% | 89.3% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Modesto City Elementary | Quincy |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 56.1°F ✓ Warmer | 37.9°F |
| Avg High — July | 95.0°F ✓ Warmer | 83.0°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 12.3" ✓ Drier | 52.3" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 50.9" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 218,308 ✓ Larger | 100,981 |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 38.3 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.7% ✓ Higher | 43.9% |
| Under 18 | 26.5% ✓ More | 15.0% |
| Over 65 | 13.9% | 16.8% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Modesto's cost of living index is 105.0 vs Quincy's 111.6 (US average = 100).
Modesto is 7% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Quincy leads 12 of 23 categories. Modesto wins 11 and Quincy wins 12. 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 Quincy or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($381,800 vs $563,200 median home), income ($73,375 vs $90,668), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Modesto, CA and Quincy, MA are about 2,629 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.