Modesto receives the higher standardized Area Score. That reflects AreaProfile's weighting, not a judgment about which place is better to live in.
Signals
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario
Modesto
Opportunity
45 · Bottom 29%
vs34 · Bottom 12%
Growth
54 · Top 44%
vs58 · Top 38%
Climate
53 · Bottom 7%
vs77 · Top 13%
Physical resilience
4 · Bottom 1%
vs21 · Bottom 10%
Housing affordability
57 · Bottom 4%
vs61 · Bottom 6%
Access
71 · Bottom 41%
vs89 · Top 26%
Economic stability
63 · Top 35%
vs66 · Top 31%
Measured values
| Metric | Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | Modesto | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 4,675,704 | 553,990 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $89,662 | $81,468 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $36,450 | $34,849 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 171/sq mi | 370/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $536,300 | $450,100 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,846 | $1,623 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 65.8% | 61.2% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 5.3% | 7.0% | June 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | -1.4% | -1.5% | June 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.5% | 19.6% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 11.9% | 13.5% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 13,521 | 1,495 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 2.9 | 2.7 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | -15.0% | 82.5% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 105°F | 95°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 36°F | 39°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 3.8" | 12.3" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 53 mi | 26 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 35.0 min | 31.2 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 35.9 | 34.9 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario
Elevated or high exposure: wildfire, inland flooding, earthquake.
Modesto
Elevated or high exposure: drought, earthquake, heat wave.
Your best match
Weight what matters to you. Your preferences stay in this browser and never change either Area Score.
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario
50
Your Score
44
Area Score
Modesto
58
Your Score
50
Area Score
Select your priorities to see which of the two fits them better.
Full profiles: Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA Metro Area · Modesto, CA Metro Area · How this is calculated: methodology