City Comparison
Modesto vs Los Angeles
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Modesto scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Modesto
Los Angeles
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Modesto is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
2% lower than in Los Angeles.
Housing costs are a major driver: Modesto's average rent is
11% lower than Los Angeles's.
| Metric | Modesto | Los Angeles | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,950 | $2,184 | -11% |
| Groceries | $420 | $450 | -7% |
| Utilities | $210 | $231 | -9% |
| Transport | $130 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $150 | +60% |
| Monthly Total | $2,950 | $3,015 | -2% |
| Cost Index | 98 | 149 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Modesto offers 37% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Modesto delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Modesto is estimated at
$60,000 vs $61,558 in Los Angeles.
| Metric | Modesto | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $66,500 | $48,651 |
| Salary Needed | $60,000 | $61,558 |
| Purchasing Power | 67,857 idx | 32,652 idx |
| Household Income | $79,891 | $81,939 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Modesto runs warmer on average — a 64.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Modesto comes out ahead with 325 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Modesto sees 0.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Modesto | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 64.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 94.80°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 41.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 20.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.70 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 325 | |
| Humidity | 55.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Modesto scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Modesto leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Modesto | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 31 min | 30 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | — |
| Traffic Index | 48.00 | 60.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Los Angeles is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Modesto.
From a growth perspective, Modesto is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Los Angeles has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Modesto | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 219,652 | 3,863,148 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | — |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 37.2 |
| Unemployment | 7.00% | 5.20% |
| GDP | — | $1,000.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Modesto
Advantages
Median home prices in Modesto remain substantially more affordable than coastal California markets like San Francisco or San Jose.
The city features cultural landmarks like the Gallo Center for the Arts, providing vibrant local entertainment and performing arts.
Proximity to agricultural hubs offers residents access to exceptional local produce and weekly farmers' markets.
Robust regional healthcare networks provide advanced medical care and extensive employment opportunities.
Geographic location provides convenient weekend access to Yosemite National Park and the Sierra Nevada mountains.
Drawbacks
Crime rates for both property and violent categories sit notably above the national average.
Summer temperatures regularly reach extreme highs, requiring significant energy costs for residential air conditioning.
High car dependency and limited public transit options lead to congested arterial roadways during peak commuting hours.
Local unemployment rates historically track higher than the national baseline due to seasonal agricultural shifts.
Air quality in the San Joaquin Valley basin can experience periodic degradation during peak summer and wildfire seasons.
Los Angeles
Advantages
Los Angeles boasts a diverse and robust economy, particularly in entertainment, healthcare, and technology sectors, offering varied job opportunities.
The city enjoys a Mediterranean climate with abundant sunshine, making it ideal for outdoor activities year-round.
Healthcare quality is high, with major institutions like LA General Medical Center receiving top safety grades and exceeding state benchmarks.
Los Angeles is a global cultural hub, offering a rich array of arts, dining, and entertainment options.
Homicides in Los Angeles decreased by 19% in 2025 compared to 2024, marking the lowest number since 1966.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Los Angeles is significantly high, with housing expenses being 135% higher than the national average.
Los Angeles is a highly car-dependent city, leading to severe traffic congestion and long commute times, averaging 30 minutes.
The city's population is experiencing a slight annual decline, with a -0.15% growth rate projected for 2026.
Despite improvements, Los Angeles's safety score of 58/100 indicates a moderate crime rate, higher than the average U.S. city.
Utility costs in Los Angeles are 9% higher than the national average, adding to the overall expense of living.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Modesto
#546California, USA
48.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,950
Avg Salary
$66,500
Cost Index
98
Commute
31 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
325/yr
Avg Temp
64.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
7.00%
Livability
71
Business
67
Los Angeles
#567California, USA
47.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,184
Avg Salary
$48,651
Cost Index
149
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
—
Walkability
—
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
5.20%
Livability
70
Business
75
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