City Comparison
Modesto vs Riverside
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Riverside scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Modesto
Riverside
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Modesto is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
9% lower than in Riverside.
Housing costs are a major driver: Modesto's average rent is
14% lower than Riverside's.
| Metric | Modesto | Riverside | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,950 | $2,269 | -14% |
| Groceries | $420 | $420 | 0% |
| Utilities | $210 | $190 | +11% |
| Transport | $130 | $130 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $240 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,950 | $3,249 | -9% |
| Cost Index | 98 | 118 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Riverside offers 2% lower 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 $58,000 in Riverside.
| Metric | Modesto | Riverside |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $66,500 | $68,000 |
| Salary Needed | $60,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 67,857 idx | 57,627 idx |
| Household Income | $79,891 | $91,045 |
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 | Riverside |
|---|---|---|
| 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% | 52.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
Riverside 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 | Riverside |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 31 min | 31 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 48.00 | 62.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Riverside is the larger city
— approximately 0.7x the population of Modesto.
From a growth perspective, Riverside is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Riverside has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Modesto | Riverside |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 219,652 | 323,057 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.61% |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 33.6 |
| Unemployment | 7.00% | 5.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
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.
Riverside
Advantages
Median home prices and rents remain significantly more affordable in Riverside compared to coastal Southern California markets like Los Angeles and Orange County.
The city features prominent cultural landmarks and attractions, including the historic Mission Inn and the nationally renowned Festival of Lights.
Proximity to higher education powerhouses like UC Riverside drives local innovation, arts, and a young, dynamic demographic baseline.
Abundant outdoor recreational opportunities are easily accessible, highlighted by Mount Rubidoux Park and regional wilderness reserves.
A strategic geographic location with robust freeway and rail connectivity links residents directly to major Southern California job centers.
Drawbacks
Regional air quality and summer ozone levels can be challenged by inland valley geography and heavy regional commuter traffic.
A considerable percentage of the local workforce commutes outside the city or county for employment, leading to heavy peak-hour freeway congestion.
Local summer temperatures frequently climb well above comfortable thresholds, driving up residential cooling and utility costs.
Overall cost of living indices remain higher than the national U.S. average, posing budget challenges for lower-income households.
Property crime rates in specific commercial corridors and transit-adjacent pockets require ongoing community and municipal intervention.
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
Riverside
#463California, USA
54.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,269
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
118
Commute
31 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.61%
Unemployment
5.10%
Livability
75
Business
70
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