

Modesto, CA vs Riverside, CA
Modesto, CA comes out ahead of Riverside, CA on 17 of 33 statistics where one end is better, to 16. Modesto, CA leads on Crime & Safety and Economics.
33 statistics with a better end, compared
Each counts once for the place that ranks better. Totals that mostly track population are left out.
- Wins
- 17
- Avg. percentile
- 45
- Categories led
- 2
- Wins
- 16
- Avg. percentile
- 42
- Categories led
- 0
At a glance
Headline statistics, each ranked among all US cities.
| Statistic | Modesto, CA | Riverside, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 220,058 108th of 477 | 325,034 60th of 477 |
| Median Household IncomeHousing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | $79,891 167th of 434 | $91,045 113th of 434 |
| Median Home Value (Capped at $2M)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | $442,700 298th of 434 | $584,800 346th of 434 |
| Poverty Rate (%)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | 13.3% 189th of 434 | 12.2% 155th of 434 |
| Price Level (All Items)Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities) | 104.1 346th of 460 | 106.4 tied 366th of 460 |
| Average Annual Wage, All JobsAverage Wage by City (Metro Area, BLS) | $67,230 197th of 460 | $65,160 tied 233rd of 460 |
| Median Rent (Monthly, Capped at $3,501)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | $1,690 tied 302nd of 434 | $1,914 348th of 434 |
| Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by City (FBI) | 582.2 286th of 395 | 532.4 272nd of 395 |
By category
Average percentile on each category's widely ranked statistics.
- Crime & SafetyModesto, CA · 5 statistics
- EconomicsModesto, CA · 14 statistics
Biggest differences
The 19 statistics where their rankings differ most, among rankings of at least 239 US cities.
| Statistic | Modesto, CA | Riverside, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Murder Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by City (FBI) | 0.0 tied 1st of 395 | 4.0 211th of 395 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by City (FBI) | 180.0 188th of 395 | 313.9 287th of 395 |
| Price Level (Housing Rents)Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities) | 108.5 251st of 460 | 129.3 tied 357th of 460 |
| Homes with Broadband Internet (%)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | 92.1% 194th of 434 | 94.3% 102nd of 434 |
| Burglary Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by City (FBI) | 188.6 166th of 395 | 271.3 245th of 395 |
| Median Annual Wage, All JobsAverage Wage by City (Metro Area, BLS) | $50,610 203rd of 460 | $48,400 tied 289th of 460 |
| Price Level (Goods)Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities) | 105.2 tied 374th of 460 | 101.4 tied 317th of 460 |
| Median Household IncomeHousing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | $79,891 167th of 434 | $91,045 113th of 434 |
| Bachelor’s Degree or Higher (% of Adults 25+)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | 21.2% 370th of 434 | 25.7% 319th of 434 |
| Median Home Value (Capped at $2M)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | $442,700 298th of 434 | $584,800 346th of 434 |
| Median Rent (Monthly, Capped at $3,501)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | $1,690 tied 302nd of 434 | $1,914 348th of 434 |
| Average Annual Wage, All JobsAverage Wage by City (Metro Area, BLS) | $67,230 197th of 460 | $65,160 tied 233rd of 460 |
| Poverty Rate (%)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | 13.3% 189th of 434 | 12.2% 155th of 434 |
| Price Level (Other Services)Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities) | 100.3 tied 309th of 460 | 101.3 tied 353rd of 460 |
| Property Crime Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by City (FBI) | 1,837.5 204th of 395 | 2,153.7 233rd of 395 |
| Price Level (All Items)Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities) | 104.1 346th of 460 | 106.4 tied 366th of 460 |
| Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by City (FBI) | 582.2 286th of 395 | 532.4 272nd of 395 |
| Average Commute (Minutes)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | 30.2 386th of 434 | 31.3 401st of 434 |
| Price Level (Utilities)Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities) | 152.3 392nd of 460 | 148.6 tied 376th of 460 |
Quick answers
- Which is better, Modesto, CA or Riverside, CA?
- Modesto, CA comes out ahead of Riverside, CA on 17 of 33 statistics where one end is better, to 16. Modesto, CA leads on Crime & Safety and Economics. Statistics where neither end is better, and totals that mostly track population, are not counted.
- Which has more people, Modesto, CA or Riverside, CA?
- Modesto, CA has a population of 220,058 (108th of 477 US cities) and Riverside, CA has 325,034 (60th of 477).
- How do Modesto, CA and Riverside, CA compare on Median Household Income?
- Median Household Income: Modesto, CA $79,891 (167th of 434), Riverside, CA $91,045 (113th of 434) among US cities. Riverside, CA ranks better.
- How do Modesto, CA and Riverside, CA compare on Median Home Value (Capped at $2M)?
- Median Home Value (Capped at $2M): Modesto, CA $442,700 (298th of 434), Riverside, CA $584,800 (346th of 434) among US cities. Modesto, CA ranks better.
- Where does Modesto, CA beat Riverside, CA most clearly?
- Modesto, CA ranks far ahead on Murder Rate (per 100K) (Crime Rates by City (FBI)): 0.0 vs 4.0; Motor Vehicle Theft Rate (per 100K) (Crime Rates by City (FBI)): 180.0 vs 313.9; Price Level (Housing Rents) (Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities)): 108.5 vs 129.3.
- Where does Riverside, CA beat Modesto, CA most clearly?
- Riverside, CA ranks far ahead on Homes with Broadband Internet (%) (Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census)): 94.3% vs 92.1%; Price Level (Goods) (Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities)): 101.4 vs 105.2; Median Household Income (Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census)): $91,045 vs $79,891.
More matchups
Other comparisons with Modesto, CA or Riverside, CA.