City Comparison
San Diego vs Modesto
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
San Diego scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
San Diego
Modesto
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Modesto is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
29% lower than in San Diego.
Housing costs are a major driver: San Diego's average rent is
56% higher than Modesto's.
| Metric | San Diego | Modesto | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $3,046 | $1,950 | +56% |
| Groceries | $480 | $420 | +14% |
| Utilities | $210 | $210 | 0% |
| Transport | $140 | $130 | +8% |
| Healthcare | $280 | $240 | +17% |
| Monthly Total | $4,156 | $2,950 | +41% |
| Cost Index | 138 | 98 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
San Diego offers 19% 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 San Diego is estimated at
$72,000 vs $60,000 in Modesto.
| Metric | San Diego | Modesto |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $79,000 | $66,500 |
| Salary Needed | $72,000 | $60,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 57,246 idx | 67,857 idx |
| Household Income | $108,077 | $79,891 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.3°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Modesto sees 0.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | San Diego | Modesto |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 63.10°F | 64.40°F |
| Summer High | 74.60°F | 94.80°F |
| Winter Low | 49.40°F | 41.50°F |
| Rainfall | 17.40 in | 20.10 in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | 0.70 in |
| Sunny Days | 322 | 325 |
| Humidity | 64.00% | 55.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
San Diego has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Modesto.
San Diego scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, San Diego leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | San Diego | Modesto |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 31 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 53.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 54.00 | 48.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
San Diego is the larger city
— approximately 6.4x the population of Modesto.
From a growth perspective, Modesto is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, San Diego has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | San Diego | Modesto |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,406,106 | 219,652 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.31% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 35.1 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 7.00% |
| GDP | $266.9B | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
San Diego
Advantages
Year-round mild climate featuring 322 sunny days per year and proximity to 70 miles of coastline.
World-class healthcare infrastructure led by top-ranked institutions like UC San Diego Health and Scripps Health.
Thriving innovation economy anchored by biotechnology, life sciences, and defense industries.
Exceptional outdoor recreation opportunities, including Balboa Park, Torrey Pines, and extensive coastal access.
High educational attainment levels and a culturally diverse, energetic population.
Drawbacks
High cost of living and soaring housing prices that run significantly above the national average.
Heavy traffic congestion during peak commuting hours along major freeways like I-5 and I-805.
Elevated gasoline and utility prices compared to national norms.
Property crime rates in certain urban pockets and downtown corridors require standard vigilance.
Limited geographical expansion space leading to fierce competition in the real estate market.
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.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
San Diego
#536California, USA
49.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$3,046
Avg Salary
$79,000
Cost Index
138
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
55.0/100
Walkability
53.0/100
Sunny Days
322/yr
Avg Temp
63.10°F
Pop. Growth
0.31%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
85
Business
78
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
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