Is Modesto Safe, Pros and cons of living in Modesto

Is it Safe to Live in Modesto?

Modesto’s violent crime rate stands at 191 per 100,000 residents, which is 47% below the national average (as reported by CrimeContext, citing FBI UCR data). The property crime rate is also lower than the national average, at 1,347 per 100,000 residents (as reported by CrimeContext, citing FBI UCR data). Over the past five years, crime in Modesto has shown a decreasing trend, with an overall decrease of 15.0% (as reported by CrimeContext).

Based on 2023 FBI data, Modesto has a Safety Context Score of A (82/100), indicating it compares favorably to most U.S. cities (as reported by CrimeContext). While overall crime rates are below the national average, it is important to note that crime statistics can vary significantly by neighborhood (as reported by CrimeContext). The most common type of crime in Modesto is larceny-theft, occurring at a rate of 875.4 per 100,000 residents (as reported by CrimeContext).

Cost of Living and Housing in Modesto

The overall cost of living in Modesto is approximately 8% higher than the national average (as reported by Payscale). Housing expenses in Modesto are about 1% higher than the national average (as reported by Payscale). The median home price in Modesto was $455,000 in March 2026, a slight decrease of 0.33% from the previous year (as reported by Redfin).

The average rent for an apartment in Modesto is around $1,469 per month as of May 2026, which is 10% lower than the national average (as reported by Apartments.com). For a one-bedroom apartment, the average rent is approximately $1,487 per month, while a two-bedroom apartment averages around $1,799 per month (as reported by Apartments.com). Modesto’s housing market is considered very competitive, scoring 84 out of 100 (as reported by Redfin).

Job Market and Economy in Modesto

As of April 2026, the average annual salary in Modesto is reported to be $108,549 (as reported by Salary.com). However, other sources indicate a different average annual salary of $66,091 as of April 2026 (as reported by ZipRecruiter). The unemployment rate in Modesto was 7.40% in the most recent reporting period, which is lower than the long-term average of 11.00% (as reported by YCharts).

Modesto’s economy is driven by several key sectors. The top three local sectors showing growth include health services, hospitality, and community and civic organizations (as reported by Modesto, CA). Traded sectors, which are export-oriented, account for about 24% of jobs and tend to offer higher wages. These include food processing and manufacturing, distribution and e-commerce, and agricultural inputs and services (as reported by Modesto, CA). Major employers in the Modesto area include E & J Gallo Winery, Memorial Medical Center, and Foster Farms (as reported by CA.gov).

Climate in Modesto

Modesto experiences hot, arid, and clear summers, with winters that are short, cold, wet, and partly cloudy. Throughout the year, temperatures typically range from 39°F to 95°F, rarely dropping below 30°F or exceeding 103°F (as reported by Weather Spark). The hot season generally lasts from early June to late September, with average daily high temperatures above 87°F. July is the hottest month, with average highs around 95°F and lows of 64°F (as reported by Weather Spark).

The cooler season spans from late November to mid-February, with average daily high temperatures below 62°F. December is typically the coldest month, with average lows of 40°F and highs of 56°F (as reported by Weather Spark). The city receives moderate rainfall, primarily during the cooler months.

Education in Modesto

Modesto is served by the Modesto City School District, which encompasses a large number of students across various grade levels. The district has an overall Niche grade of C+ (as reported by Niche). Within the district, high schools like James C. Enochs High School and Joseph A. Gregori High School receive A-minus ratings (as reported by Niche).

Modesto High School itself holds a B-minus overall Niche grade, with a rating of 4.11 out of 5 based on numerous reviews (as reported by Niche). According to state test scores, 12% of students at Modesto High School are proficient in math and 40% are proficient in reading (as reported by Niche). The Modesto City High School District has a student-teacher ratio of 22 to 1 (as reported by Niche).

Demographics of Modesto

Modesto is projected to have a population of 221,937 in 2026 (as reported by World Population Review). As of the most recent U.S. Census data, Modesto is the 19th most populated city in California (as reported by World Population Review). The largest racial or ethnic groups in Modesto are Hispanic (45.4%), followed by White (36.6%) and Asian (7.3%) (as reported by World Population Review).

The median household income in Modesto was $79,891 in 2024 (as reported by World Population Review). The median age of residents is 35.1 years (as reported by World Population Review). A notable 10.4% of Modesto families live below the poverty line (as reported by World Population Review).