Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Modesto, CA
VS
Santa Maria, CA
🏆 Modesto leads 14 of 22 categories
Modesto
California
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.0⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$73,375
Violent Crime Index
173⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
218,308 ✓ Larger
Santa Maria
California
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
113.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$81,237 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
174⚠ High
Population
109,543
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Modesto, CA
Pros
Rent averages $271/mo less ($1,497 vs $1,768)
Homes cost $56k less ($381,800 vs $438,100)
9% cheaper overall cost of living than Santa Maria
More college-educated — 19.7% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Violent crime (655.7/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher unemployment (7.8% vs 6.3%)
Median income trails Santa Maria by $7,862/yr
Longer commutes — 29.4 min average each way
Santa Maria, CA
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.5 pts lower (6.3%)
Commutes run 7 min shorter each way
Cooler summers — July highs near 73°F vs 95°F
Households earn $7,862 more per year on average
Milder winters — January highs near 65°F vs 56°F
Cons
Violent crime (660.6/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher rents — median is $1,768/mo
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 113.5)
Pricier housing — median home is $438,100
Key Differences at a Glance
Modesto
Cost of Living
9% cheaper
COL index 105.0 vs 113.5 (100 = US avg)
Modesto
Median Home Value
$56k less
$381,800 vs $438,100
Modesto
Summer Heat
21.7°F warmer
July avg high 95.0°F vs 73.3°F
Santa Maria
Median Income
$7,862
$81,237 vs $73,375/yr
Santa Maria
Unemployment
1.5 pp lower
6.3% vs 7.8% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Santa Maria, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 105.0⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 113.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $381,800⚠ High ✓ Lower | $438,100⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,497⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,768⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $73,375 | $81,237 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.8%⚠ High | 6.3%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 29.4 min⚠ High | 22.1 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 6.9% ✓ Higher | 4.9% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 150⚠ High | 140⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 173⚠ High ✓ Safer | 174⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 115⚠ High | 90 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C- (65) ✓ Better | C- (62) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 21.8:1 | 21.2:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 19.7% ✓ Higher | 14.5% |
| High School or Higher | 83.6% ✓ Higher | 63.3% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Modesto City Elementary | Santa Maria-Bonita |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 56.1°F | 64.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 95.0°F ✓ Warmer | 73.3°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 12.3" ✓ Drier | 13.3" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 218,308 ✓ Larger | 109,543 |
| Median Age | 34.9 ✓ Older | 29.3 |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.7% ✓ Higher | 51.2% |
| Under 18 | 26.5% | 31.0% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.9% ✓ More | 10.7% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Modesto's cost of living index is 105.0 vs Santa Maria's 113.5 (US average = 100).
Modesto is 8% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Modesto leads 14 of 22 categories. Modesto wins 14 and Santa Maria wins 8. 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 Maria or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($381,800 vs $438,100 median home), income ($73,375 vs $81,237), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Modesto, CA and Santa Maria, CA are about 189 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.