Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Modesto, CA
VS
Santa Clara, CA
🏆 It's a dead heat — 11 categories each
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
Santa Clara
California
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
112.9⚠ High
Median Household Income
$165,352 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
48 ✓ Safer
Population
128,058
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Modesto, CA
Pros
Homes cost $1058k less ($381,800 vs $1,440,200)
Rent averages $1344/mo less ($1,497 vs $2,841)
8% cheaper overall cost of living than Santa Clara
Cons
Median income trails Santa Clara by $91,977/yr
Violent crime (655.7/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher unemployment (7.8% vs 4.2%)
Longer commutes — 29.4 min average each way
Santa Clara, CA
Pros
Households earn $91,977 more per year on average
72% less violent crime than Modesto
More college-educated — 64.6% hold a bachelor's or higher
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.6 pts lower (4.2%)
Violent crime is well below the national average (182.0 vs 380/100k)
Commutes run 6 min shorter each way
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $1,440,200
Higher rents — median is $2,841/mo
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 112.9)
Property crime (2501.9/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Modesto
Cost of Living
8% cheaper
COL index 105.0 vs 112.9 (100 = US avg)
Modesto
Median Home Value
$1058k less
$381,800 vs $1,440,200
Modesto
Summer Heat
14.2°F warmer
July avg high 95.0°F vs 80.8°F
Santa Clara
Median Income
$91,977
$165,352 vs $73,375/yr
Santa Clara
Violent Crime
72% lower
182.0 vs 655.7 per 100k
Santa Clara
Unemployment
3.6 pp lower
4.2% vs 7.8% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Santa Clara, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 105.0⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 112.9⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $381,800⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,440,200⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,497⚠ High ✓ Lower | $2,841⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $73,375 | $165,352 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.8%⚠ High | 4.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 29.4 min⚠ High | 23.6 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 6.9% | 21.9% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 150⚠ High | 76 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 173⚠ High | 48 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 115⚠ High ✓ Safer | 119⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C- (65) | A- (110) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 21.8:1 | 19.0:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 19.7% | 64.6% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 83.6% | 94.2% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Modesto City Elementary | Santa Clara Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 56.1°F | 59.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 95.0°F ✓ Warmer | 80.8°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 12.3" ✓ Drier | 15.6" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 218,308 ✓ Larger | 128,058 |
| Median Age | 34.9 ✓ Older | 34.5 |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.7% ✓ Higher | 41.9% |
| Under 18 | 26.5% ✓ More | 18.0% |
| Over 65 | 13.9% ✓ More | 11.3% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Modesto's cost of living index is 105.0 vs Santa Clara's 112.9 (US average = 100).
Modesto is 8% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, It's a dead heat — 11 categories each. Modesto wins 11 and Santa Clara 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 Santa Clara or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($381,800 vs $1,440,200 median home), income ($73,375 vs $165,352), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Modesto, CA and Santa Clara, CA are about 56 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.