Modesto 65 Good
Modesto Livability #389 ranked city in California#12,173 ranked city in the USARanks better than 58% of areas

Pros and Cons of Living in Modesto

PROS
  • Housing

    The housing category in this area boasts higher than average scores, likely influenced by a positive home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.

CONS
  • Cost Of Living

    Residents of this area contend with a high cost of living, resulting in increased expenditures for everyday goods and services, housing, utilities and health care.

  • Crime

    High crime rates per 100,000 people are reported in this area, potentially indicating that it is an unsafe place to live. These statistics consider both violent and property offenses.

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What's it like Living in Modesto?

Modesto is a highly populated city located in the state of California. The city has a population of 214,485 residents. With a population density of 4,983 people per square mile, Modesto is well above the nation's average density level. If we take a look at the last Census, the vast majority of the population falls within one racial group (68% White). Given that fact, Modesto could be considered less diverse than other cities. Additionally, more than a quarter of the population of Modesto are of Hispanic or Latino origin, and 27% of the population also speak Spanish. Long commute times to work can be incredibly frustrating, ranking just behind housework on the list of life's annoyances. If you opt to make Modesto your home, your one-way commute time will typically last around 29 minutes, a duration that aligns with the national average commute time of 26 minutes.

Living in Modesto can be a positive experience for anyone moving to the area. Having said that, in the state of California, there are many incredible places to live, so choose wisely! When searching for a new neighborhood, several factors play a vital role in determining its suitability. Safety should be a top priority, ensuring a secure environment with low crime rates. Proximity to your workplace or school helps minimize commuting time and allows for a better work-life balance. Availability of essential amenities such as parks, coffee shops, restaurants, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities contributes to convenience and well-being. Access to reliable public transportation options facilitates easy commuting and connectivity. Additionally, considering the sense of community and the overall atmosphere that resonates with your lifestyle and preferences fosters a harmonious living experience. Finding the best places to live in Modesto and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes cost of living, commute, health & safety and other important metrics.

Modesto has a livability score of 67 out of 100 and is ranked #322 in California and #8,944 in the USA. If we take a closer look at each of the categories individually, we see that Modesto ranks well for education (B+) and housing (A+). Regrettably for Modesto, there are some categories for which it does not score well, this includes: crime (F) and cost of living (F).

A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. Modesto excels in the housing sector, scoring high marks based on factors such as median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability. These calculations suggest that the apartment rental and real estate market in the region is exceptionally healthy, highlighting the area's economic vitality and attractiveness to potential homebuyers and renters.

Certain items on your wish list like shopping, restaurants, nightlife, parks and proximity to public transportation are all important things to look for. Having said that, perhaps the most important metric to consider when contemplating a move to Modesto is real estate affordability. Median real estate prices in Modesto come in at $300,700, which is 26.5% lower than the California average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Modesto, the home price to income ratio is 4.8, which is 25% lower than the California average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Modesto

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Modesto?

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Compare Modesto, CA Livability

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      Modesto transportation information

      Statistic Modesto California National
      Average one way commute29min28min26min
      Workers who drive to work80.9%73.5%76.4%
      Workers who carpool10.1%10.6%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit1.0%5.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.7%1.1%0.6%
      Workers who walk1.0%2.7%2.8%
      Working from home5.6%5.4%4.6%
      Source: The Modesto, CA data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).