Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Modesto, CA
VS
St. Paul, MN
🏆 St. Paul leads 12 of 23 categories
Modesto
California
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.0⚠ High
Median Household Income
$73,375 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
173⚠ High
Population
218,308
St. Paul
Minnesota
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
104.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$69,919
Violent Crime Index
163⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
308,806 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Modesto, CA
Pros
Milder winters — January highs near 56°F vs 24°F
Households earn $3,456 more per year on average
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $381,800
Violent crime (655.7/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher rents — median is $1,497/mo
Higher unemployment (7.8% vs 5.0%)
St. Paul, MN
Pros
Homes cost $117k less ($264,900 vs $381,800)
Rent averages $323/mo less ($1,174 vs $1,497)
6% less violent crime than Modesto
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.8 pts lower (5.0%)
More college-educated — 42.8% hold a bachelor's or higher
Commutes run 6 min shorter each way
Cons
Violent crime (617.7/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (2834.1/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Snowy winters — about 40" of snow per year
Median income trails Modesto by $3,456/yr
Key Differences at a Glance
Modesto
Median Income
$3,456
$73,375 vs $69,919/yr
Modesto
Summer Heat
12.4°F warmer
July avg high 95.0°F vs 82.6°F
St. Paul
Cost of Living
1% cheaper
COL index 104.5 vs 105.0 (100 = US avg)
St. Paul
Violent Crime
6% lower
617.7 vs 655.7 per 100k
St. Paul
Median Home Value
$117k less
$264,900 vs $381,800
St. Paul
Unemployment
2.8 pp lower
5.0% vs 7.8% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Modesto, CA | St. Paul, MN |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 105.0⚠ High | 104.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $381,800⚠ High | $264,900 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,497⚠ High | $1,174 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $73,375 ✓ Higher | $69,919 |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.8%⚠ High | 5.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 29.4 min⚠ High | 23.1 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 6.9% | 15.4% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 150⚠ High ✓ Safer | 152⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 173⚠ High | 163⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 115⚠ High ✓ Safer | 135⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C- (65) | B+ (104) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 21.8:1 | 14.8:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 19.7% | 42.8% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 83.6% | 88.2% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Modesto City Elementary | Saint Paul Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 56.1°F ✓ Warmer | 23.9°F |
| Avg High — July | 95.0°F ✓ Warmer | 82.6°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 12.3" ✓ Drier | 29.2" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 40.4" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 218,308 | 308,806 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 34.9 ✓ Older | 33.1 |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.7% ✓ Higher | 53.0% |
| Under 18 | 26.5% ✓ More | 24.0% |
| Over 65 | 13.9% ✓ More | 11.8% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Modesto's cost of living index is 105.0 vs St. Paul's 104.5 (US average = 100).
St. Paul is 0% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, St. Paul leads 12 of 23 categories. Modesto wins 11 and St. Paul 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 St. Paul or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($381,800 vs $264,900 median home), income ($73,375 vs $69,919), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Modesto, CA and St. Paul, MN are about 1,525 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.