Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Modesto, CA
VS
Westminster, CO
🏆 Westminster leads 13 of 23 categories
Modesto
California
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.0⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$73,375
Violent Crime Index
173⚠ High
Population
218,308 ✓ Larger
Westminster
Colorado
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$90,651 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
80 ✓ Safer
Population
115,502
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Modesto, CA
Pros
Homes cost $85k less ($381,800 vs $467,200)
Rent averages $235/mo less ($1,497 vs $1,732)
Milder winters — January highs near 56°F vs 48°F
Cons
Violent crime (655.7/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Westminster by $17,276/yr
Higher unemployment (7.8% vs 4.1%)
Westminster, CO
Pros
54% less violent crime than Modesto
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.7 pts lower (4.1%)
Households earn $17,276 more per year on average
More college-educated — 42.2% hold a bachelor's or higher
Smaller class sizes — 18.0:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $467,200
Higher rents — median is $1,732/mo
Property crime (3540.4/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Snowy winters — about 55" of snow per year
Key Differences at a Glance
Modesto
Cost of Living
1% cheaper
COL index 105.0 vs 105.5 (100 = US avg)
Modesto
Median Home Value
$85k less
$381,800 vs $467,200
Modesto
Summer Heat
3.9°F warmer
July avg high 95.0°F vs 91.1°F
Westminster
Median Income
$17,276
$90,651 vs $73,375/yr
Westminster
Violent Crime
54% lower
303.6 vs 655.7 per 100k
Westminster
Unemployment
3.7 pp lower
4.1% vs 7.8% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Westminster, CO |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 105.0⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 105.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $381,800⚠ High ✓ Lower | $467,200⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,497⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,732⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $73,375 | $90,651 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.8%⚠ High | 4.1%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 29.4 min⚠ High | 26.5 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 6.9% | 15.7% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 150⚠ High | 115⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 173⚠ High | 80 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 115⚠ High ✓ Safer | 169⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C- (65) | B- (95) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 21.8:1 | 18.0:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 19.7% | 42.2% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 83.6% | 92.2% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Modesto City Elementary | Westminster Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 56.1°F ✓ Warmer | 48.0°F |
| Avg High — July | 95.0°F ✓ Warmer | 91.1°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 12.3" ✓ Drier | 17.3" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 54.8" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 218,308 ✓ Larger | 115,502 |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 37.4 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.7% | 63.8% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 26.5% ✓ More | 19.6% |
| Over 65 | 13.9% | 14.4% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Modesto's cost of living index is 105.0 vs Westminster's 105.5 (US average = 100).
Modesto is 0% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Westminster leads 13 of 23 categories. Modesto wins 10 and Westminster 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 Westminster or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($381,800 vs $467,200 median home), income ($73,375 vs $90,651), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Modesto, CA and Westminster, CO are about 872 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.