Living in Modesto, CA
Mid-size city in California
Modesto is a mid-size city in California, home to about 219,000 people, with 1.2 million living within 31 mi. Day to day, there is some transit, though many people drive. Life moves at a moderate pace, and homes are mostly houses.
Is Modesto a good place to live? Pros and cons
👍 Pros
- Sunny: more sunshine and clearer skies than most places
- Low natural disaster risk: 6 federally declared disasters since 2000
- Strong healthcare: 2 top-rated (4–5★) hospitals within 31 mi
- Easy flying: SJC is 54 mi away
👎 Cons
- Fewer graduates: 20% of adults have a bachelor's degree or higher
- Few dog parks: 2 within 9 mi
- Fewer family amenities than most places
- Hot summers: highs around 93°F
Whether it's a good place for you depends on what you value. Take the quiz to see how Modesto ranks against your own priorities.
Key facts
Living in Modesto: common questions
What is the cost of living in Modesto?
A typical 3-bedroom home is worth about $433k, and a 3-bedroom rents for about $2,440 a month including utilities. Overall living costs are above the US average (index 104, where the US is 100).
What are taxes like in Modesto?
California collects about $3,279 in state income tax per resident, and homeowners here pay about 0.66% of their home's value in property tax each year.
Is Modesto safe?
Violent crime is well above the national rate (2.1× in FBI 2019 data).
What is the weather like in Modesto?
Modesto has mild winters: winter days average around 58°F and summer days around 93°F.
Does Modesto get natural disasters?
Natural disaster risk is low, mainly from flooding and earthquakes: 6 federally declared disasters have hit the county since 2000, and FEMA expects about 0.38 deaths or injuries per 100,000 residents a year.
What is the nearest major airport to Modesto?
The nearest major airport is SJC, about 54 mi away.
How Modesto scores
Each bar compares Modesto with the other 1143 places in Best Life Fit Me. A dot shows where it sits between two ends, such as major metro and small town; neither end is better. Coloured bars run from poor (red) to excellent (green).
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Is Modesto right for you?
Answer 27 quick questions and see how it ranks against your priorities.