Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Modesto, CA
VS
Spokane, WA
🏆 Spokane leads 13 of 23 categories
Modesto
California
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.0⚠ High
Median Household Income
$73,375 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
173⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
218,308
Spokane
Washington
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
101.0⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$63,316
Violent Crime Index
178⚠ High
Population
227,922 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Modesto, CA
Pros
Households earn $10,059 more per year on average
Milder winters — January highs near 56°F vs 38°F
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,497/mo
Violent crime (655.7/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Pricier housing — median home is $381,800
Higher unemployment (7.8% vs 6.2%)
Spokane, WA
Pros
Rent averages $437/mo less ($1,060 vs $1,497)
Homes cost $95k less ($286,900 vs $381,800)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.6 pts lower (6.2%)
Commutes run 9 min shorter each way
More college-educated — 32.7% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 87°F vs 95°F
Cons
Violent crime (674.9/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Modesto by $10,059/yr
Property crime (4840.8/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Snowy winters — about 45" of snow per year
Key Differences at a Glance
Modesto
Median Income
$10,059
$73,375 vs $63,316/yr
Modesto
Violent Crime
3% lower
655.7 vs 674.9 per 100k
Modesto
Summer Heat
7.9°F warmer
July avg high 95.0°F vs 87.1°F
Spokane
Cost of Living
4% cheaper
COL index 101.0 vs 105.0 (100 = US avg)
Spokane
Median Home Value
$95k less
$286,900 vs $381,800
Spokane
Unemployment
1.6 pp lower
6.2% vs 7.8% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Spokane, WA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 105.0⚠ High | 101.0⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $381,800⚠ High | $286,900 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,497⚠ High | $1,060 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $73,375 ✓ Higher | $63,316 |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.8%⚠ High | 6.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 29.4 min⚠ High | 20.7 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 6.9% | 12.0% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 150⚠ High ✓ Safer | 199⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 173⚠ High ✓ Safer | 178⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 115⚠ High ✓ Safer | 231⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C- (65) | B (101) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 21.8:1 | 14.8:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 19.7% | 32.7% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 83.6% | 93.2% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Modesto City Elementary | Spokane School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 56.1°F ✓ Warmer | 37.8°F |
| Avg High — July | 95.0°F ✓ Warmer | 87.1°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 12.3" ✓ Drier | 17.4" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 45.4" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 218,308 | 227,922 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 37.0 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.7% ✓ Higher | 57.5% |
| Under 18 | 26.5% ✓ More | 20.3% |
| Over 65 | 13.9% | 16.2% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Modesto's cost of living index is 105.0 vs Spokane's 101.0 (US average = 100).
Spokane is 4% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Spokane leads 13 of 23 categories. Modesto wins 10 and Spokane wins 13. 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 Spokane or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($381,800 vs $286,900 median home), income ($73,375 vs $63,316), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Modesto, CA and Spokane, WA are about 716 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.