City Comparison
Modesto vs Sacramento
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Sacramento scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Modesto
Sacramento
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Sacramento is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
4% lower than in Modesto.
| Metric | Modesto | Sacramento | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,950 | $1,946 | 0% |
| Groceries | $420 | $400 | +5% |
| Utilities | $210 | $180 | +17% |
| Transport | $130 | $90 | +44% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $230 | +4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,950 | $2,846 | +4% |
| Cost Index | 98 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Sacramento offers 14% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Sacramento delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Modesto is estimated at
$60,000 vs $65,000 in Sacramento.
| Metric | Modesto | Sacramento |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $66,500 | $77,000 |
| Salary Needed | $60,000 | $65,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 67,857 idx | 68,750 idx |
| Household Income | $79,891 | $91,387 |
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 | Sacramento |
|---|---|---|
| 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% | 55.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Sacramento has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Modesto.
Sacramento scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Sacramento leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Modesto | Sacramento |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 31 min | 27 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 47.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 48.00 | 47.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Sacramento is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x the population of Modesto.
From a growth perspective, Sacramento is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Sacramento has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Modesto | Sacramento |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 219,652 | 536,449 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.53% |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 36.0 |
| Unemployment | 7.00% | 5.00% |
| GDP | — | $135.5B |
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.
Sacramento
Advantages
Median home prices and rental rates remain significantly more affordable than coastal California hubs like San Francisco and San Jose.
Thriving farm-to-fork culinary scene with nationally acclaimed local restaurants and frequent community farmers' markets.
Extensive outdoor recreation access via the 32-mile American River Parkway and close proximity to Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Nevada.
Stable, recession-resilient job market anchored by California state government administration and major healthcare systems.
Abundant sunshine and a Mediterranean climate averaging over 260 sunny days per year.
Drawbacks
Summer temperatures frequently exceed 95°F to 100°F, creating high cooling demands and seasonal heat advisories.
Property crime rates and urban homelessness present ongoing challenges in select downtown and inner-city commercial corridors.
Public transit infrastructure is limited outside of central urban grids, making outer neighborhoods heavily car-dependent.
State income tax rates align with California's top-tier state brackets, impacting high-earning households.
Vulnerability to seasonal wildfire smoke from surrounding foothills during dry summer and autumn months.
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
Sacramento
#542California, USA
49.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,946
Avg Salary
$77,000
Cost Index
112
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
55.0/100
Walkability
47.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.53%
Unemployment
5.00%
Livability
76
Business
72
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Modesto and Sacramento.
Open Cost Calculator