Carlsbad, CA vs Modesto, CA
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Carlsbad
62.6
#1838 nationally
Modesto
64.2
#1712 nationally
Carlsbad leads in crime level (5.5 vs 18.0). Carlsbad leads in median household income ($134,139 vs $73,375). Modesto leads in cost of living index (130 vs 202).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Carlsbad, CA | Modesto, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 62.6 (#1838) | 64.2 (#1712) |
| Population | 113,495 | 218,915 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,361,646 | $447,153 |
| Median Household Income | $134,139 | $73,375 |
| Average Commute | 28.5 min | 29.4 min |
| Walk Score | 31 | 48 |
| Crime Level | 5.5 | 18.0 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 202 | 130 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+16.8 | R+11.0 |
D-
62.6 Score
Carlsbad, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$1,361,646
Population
113,495
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
31
Pacific
View Carlsbad, CA →
D
64.2 Score
Modesto, CA
Growing California city with expanding opportunities
Median Home
$447,153
Population
218,915
Crime
High
Walk Score
48
Pacific
View Modesto, CA →