2027 MNM LIVABILITY INDEX

Modesto

California (CA)

Best for: Families and agricultural-economy workers seeking Central Valley value within reach of the Bay Area

2027 CITY CLASSMedium City100,000–299,999 residents

Modern Livability68.9/ 100

AT A GLANCE

Everyday numbers

Population219,652

Median Home$470,000

Median Rent$1,600

Median Household Income$74,000

Cost of Living~116.0 (US=100; 2024 city/metro estimate)

Average Commute28.0 min

Unemployment~6.0% metro (2026)

Metro AreaModesto, CA

2027 MODERN LIVABILITY SCORECARD

How this city actually lives

Twelve dimensions capture both hard data and the everyday experience traditional lists tend to miss.

68.9overall

Housing & Financial Reality45.0

Housing burden, taxes, insurance, utilities and what local incomes actually buy.

Ease of Living78.0

Errands, commute friction, parking, services and the effort required for daily life.

Safety & Stability55.0

Personal, neighborhood, road and environmental stability.

Economic Opportunity76.0

Jobs, wages, career mobility, employer diversity and economic resilience.

Health & Wellness66.0

Healthcare access, activity, mental wellness, healthy food and environmental health.

Beauty & Sense of Place68.0

Scenery, architecture, trees, cleanliness, public realm and distinct sense of place.

Mobility & Congestion61.0

Traffic delay, commute reliability, walking, cycling and transit usefulness.

Nature & Escape73.0

Trails, water, mountains, parks, public lands and how easily residents can escape.

Diversity & Belonging88.0

Diversity, integration, accessibility, newcomer friendliness and community connection.

Climate & Environment78.0

Comfortable weather, air quality, severe weather and environmental exposure.

Community & Culture74.0

Restaurants, arts, events, third places, recreation and social life.

Infrastructure & Connectivity72.0

Broadband, utilities, airport, highways, transit and essential connectivity.

THE THINGS OLD-SCHOOL LISTS MISS

What daily life feels like

Traffic / CongestionModerate to high. Peak-hour congestion is common on major regional corridors, though local trips can still be manageable.

Weekend EscapeGood. There are useful parks and regional escapes, although outdoor access is less defining than in top nature-oriented cities.

WalkabilityAbout 48/100 citywide Walk Score. Selected districts are walkable, but many daily errands still require a car.

Airport AccessGood regional access. Sacramento, Oakland and San Jose airports provide the broadest commercial options.

Outdoor AccessGood. Local parks and regional recreation provide useful outdoor options, though nature is not the city’s primary identity.

Healthcare AccessAdequate to strong. Core hospital and outpatient services are available, with some specialty care requiring travel within the region.

Air QualityMixed. Inland heat, ozone, traffic emissions and wildfire smoke can create recurring unhealthy periods, especially in summer.

Third Places / Social LifeGood. Community parks, restaurants, cafés and local events provide a workable social fabric, though options are less deep than in larger cultural hubs.

EDITORIAL VIEW

More than a number

Trajectory: Stable

WHY IT STANDS OUT

Why we chose it

Modesto is included in the 2027 MNM Livability Index as the #110 most populous U.S. city in the Census Bureau's 2025 estimates. Its strongest livability advantages are housing value versus bay area; agriculture; family neighborhoods; central location, while the clearest tradeoffs are heat; air quality; crime variation; limited high-wage jobs; long regional drives. The profile balances housing, everyday ease, safety, opportunity, wellness, beauty, mobility, nature, belonging, climate, culture and infrastructure rather than relying on a single headline metric.

REAL LIFE