Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Modesto, CA
VS
San Francisco, CA
🏆 San Francisco leads 12 of 22 categories
Modesto
California
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.0⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$73,375
Violent Crime Index
173⚠ High
Population
218,308
San Francisco
California
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
117.1⚠ High
Median Household Income
$136,689 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
157⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
851,036 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Modesto, CA
Pros
Homes cost $967k less ($381,800 vs $1,348,700)
Rent averages $819/mo less ($1,497 vs $2,316)
12% cheaper overall cost of living than San Francisco
Cons
Median income trails San Francisco by $63,314/yr
Violent crime (655.7/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher unemployment (7.8% vs 5.4%)
San Francisco, CA
Pros
Households earn $63,314 more per year on average
More college-educated — 59.8% hold a bachelor's or higher
9% less violent crime than Modesto
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.4 pts lower (5.4%)
Cooler summers — July highs near 62°F vs 95°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $1,348,700
Higher rents — median is $2,316/mo
Violent crime (596.5/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 117.1)
Key Differences at a Glance
Modesto
Cost of Living
12% cheaper
COL index 105.0 vs 117.1 (100 = US avg)
Modesto
Median Home Value
$967k less
$381,800 vs $1,348,700
Modesto
Summer Heat
33.2°F warmer
July avg high 95.0°F vs 61.8°F
San Francisco
Median Income
$63,314
$136,689 vs $73,375/yr
San Francisco
Violent Crime
9% lower
596.5 vs 655.7 per 100k
San Francisco
Unemployment
2.4 pp lower
5.4% vs 7.8% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Modesto, CA | San Francisco, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 105.0⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 117.1⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $381,800⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,348,700⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,497⚠ High ✓ Lower | $2,316⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $73,375 | $136,689 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.8%⚠ High | 5.4%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 29.4 min⚠ High ✓ Shorter | 31.8 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 6.9% | 23.4% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 150⚠ High ✓ Safer | 169⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 173⚠ High | 157⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 115⚠ High ✓ Safer | 187⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C- (65) | B+ (108) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 21.8:1 | 21.0:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 19.7% | 59.8% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 83.6% | 88.8% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Modesto City Elementary | San Francisco Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 56.1°F | 59.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 95.0°F ✓ Warmer | 61.8°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 12.3" ✓ Drier | 30.0" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 218,308 | 851,036 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 39.3 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.7% ✓ Higher | 38.6% |
| Under 18 | 26.5% ✓ More | 13.6% |
| Over 65 | 13.9% | 16.7% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Modesto's cost of living index is 105.0 vs San Francisco's 117.1 (US average = 100).
Modesto is 12% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, San Francisco leads 12 of 22 categories. Modesto wins 10 and San Francisco 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 San Francisco or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($381,800 vs $1,348,700 median home), income ($73,375 vs $136,689), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Modesto, CA and San Francisco, CA are about 111 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.