Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Modesto, CA
VS
South Fulton, GA
🏆 South Fulton leads 14 of 22 categories
Modesto
California
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.0⚠ High
Median Household Income
$73,375
Violent Crime Index
173⚠ High
Population
218,308 ✓ Larger
South Fulton
Georgia
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
100.9⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$77,488 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
124⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
107,865
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Modesto, CA
Pros
Commutes run 3 min shorter each way
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $381,800
Violent crime (655.7/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails South Fulton by $4,113/yr
Cost of living runs 4% higher than South Fulton
South Fulton, GA
Pros
Homes cost $140k less ($242,200 vs $381,800)
28% less violent crime than Modesto
More college-educated — 39.1% hold a bachelor's or higher
Households earn $4,113 more per year on average
Smaller class sizes — 18.0:1 student-teacher ratio
4% cheaper overall cost of living than Modesto
Cons
Violent crime (470.5/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Longer commutes — 32.5 min average each way
Key Differences at a Glance
Modesto
Summer Heat
4.9°F warmer
July avg high 95.0°F vs 90.1°F
South Fulton
Cost of Living
4% cheaper
COL index 100.9 vs 105.0 (100 = US avg)
South Fulton
Median Income
$4,113
$77,488 vs $73,375/yr
South Fulton
Violent Crime
28% lower
470.5 vs 655.7 per 100k
South Fulton
Median Home Value
$140k less
$242,200 vs $381,800
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Modesto, CA | South Fulton, GA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 105.0⚠ High | 100.9⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $381,800⚠ High | $242,200 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,497⚠ High | $1,461⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $73,375 | $77,488 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.8%⚠ High | 7.8%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 29.4 min⚠ High ✓ Shorter | 32.5 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 6.9% | 12.5% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 150⚠ High | 111⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 173⚠ High | 124⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 115⚠ High | 91 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C- (65) | C+ (86) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 21.8:1 | 18.0:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 19.7% | 39.1% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 83.6% | 93.1% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Modesto City Elementary | State Specialty Schools I- Georgia Cyber Academy |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 56.1°F ✓ Warmer | 54.0°F |
| Avg High — July | 95.0°F ✓ Warmer | 90.1°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 12.3" ✓ Drier | 54.2" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 2.2" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 218,308 ✓ Larger | 107,865 |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 37.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.7% | 69.2% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 26.5% ✓ More | 24.1% |
| Over 65 | 13.9% ✓ More | 11.4% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Modesto's cost of living index is 105.0 vs South Fulton's 100.9 (US average = 100).
South Fulton is 4% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, South Fulton leads 14 of 22 categories. Modesto wins 8 and South Fulton wins 14. 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 South Fulton or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($381,800 vs $242,200 median home), income ($73,375 vs $77,488), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Modesto, CA and South Fulton, GA are about 2,051 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.