Modesto, CA Crime Map

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions: Modesto, CA Crime & Safety

Is Modesto, CA safe in 2026?

Yes — by the numbers, Modesto earns a city-wide Safety Rating of B (Safe), and every one of the 8 neighborhoods analyzed on this crime map lands in either the A or B tier. That means 100% of analyzed neighborhoods are classified as safe, with 37.5% earning an A grade (Del Rio, Enslen, and Vintage Fair Estates) and 62.5% earning a B grade. For context, a B-grade neighborhood in Modesto — such as Downtown, which carries a B- — still outperforms many urban cores across California. Residents in higher-income corridors like Del Rio (median income: $163,315) and Enslen (median income: $100,060) enjoy A-rated safety environments, while even the most densely populated neighborhood analyzed, Downtown (5,008 residents), holds a B- rather than a D or F. Overall, the data supports Modesto as a reasonably safe city for families, renters, and homeowners.

What is the crime rate in Modesto, CA?

Modesto's overall crime picture earns a C+ Overall Crime Grade at the city level, reflecting that while individual neighborhoods trend safe (all graded A or B), broader city-wide factors — including an 8.5% unemployment rate and a 12.4% poverty rate — apply upward pressure on crime relative to wealthier metros. Breaking down the neighborhood grades: 3 of 8 neighborhoods (37.5%) score an A, meaning very low crime density, and 5 of 8 neighborhoods (62.5%) score a B, meaning low-to-moderate crime. No neighborhood analyzed received a C, D, or F grade. The gap between the city-wide C+ and the neighborhood-level B average suggests that crime is somewhat concentrated in areas or corridors not fully captured by the 8-neighborhood sample, making the interactive crime map a valuable tool for drilling into street-level data.

What are the safest neighborhoods in Modesto?

The three safest neighborhoods in Modesto all earn Grade A ratings:

• Del Rio — Grade A: The highest-income neighborhood analyzed, with a median household income of $163,315 and a small, tight-knit population of 536. Its combination of affluence and low density correlates strongly with its top safety score.
• Enslen — Grade A: Home to 2,478 residents and a median income of $100,060, Enslen is one of the larger A-rated neighborhoods, suggesting its safety isn't just a product of small size.
• Vintage Fair Estates — Grade A-: With 656 residents and a median income of $78,652, this neighborhood sits just below a full A but remains among Modesto's safest options.

Rounding out the top five, Graceada Park (Grade B+, median income $83,715) and La Loma (Grade B+, median income $49,979) offer strong safety ratings at a wider range of income levels — La Loma in particular demonstrates that a B+ grade is achievable even in a neighborhood with more modest household earnings.

Which Modesto neighborhoods have the highest crime?

Even Modesto's "higher crime" areas remain within safe grade boundaries — a meaningful distinction. The neighborhoods with relatively elevated crime compared to the rest of the city are:

• Downtown — Grade B-: The most populous neighborhood analyzed at 5,008 residents, and also the lowest-income at a median of $28,735. Its B- grade is the lowest in the dataset, consistent with the pattern seen in dense, lower-income urban cores.
• Hintze / Fairmont — Grade B: 578 residents, median income $82,304. Despite its higher income level, this smaller neighborhood earns a mid-tier B.
• Vintage Modesto East McHenry — Grade B: 2,860 residents, median income $46,630. A solid B grade in a mid-size neighborhood.
• La Loma — Grade B+: 3,282 residents, median income $49,979. Technically among the "higher crime" end of the spectrum only because the overall bar is high — a B+ is still a safe rating.
• Graceada Park — Grade B+: 1,056 residents, median income $83,715. Similar to La Loma, its B+ reflects minor relative elevation within an otherwise strong dataset.

It's worth emphasizing: a B- in Modesto is not the same as a D or F in another city. All five of these neighborhoods would be considered safe by national standards.

Is Modesto a good place to live in 2026?

For many households, yes — especially those prioritizing affordability alongside safety. Consider the key data points: the median home value is $300,963 and median rent is $1,254/month, both significantly below California's statewide averages, while 100% of analyzed neighborhoods carry A or B safety grades. The median household income of $62,182 means a typical Modesto family spends roughly 24% of gross income on rent — a relatively manageable ratio. Challenges exist: the 8.5% unemployment rate exceeds the national average, and a 12.4% poverty rate reflects economic inequality that can influence crime trends over time. Families seeking the best combination of safety and value should focus on Del Rio, Enslen, or Graceada Park. Renters on tighter budgets who still want a B+ or better safety grade may find La Loma (median income $49,979, Grade B+) or Vintage Modesto East McHenry (Grade B) to be practical options given Modesto's relatively low rent baseline.

How does neighborhood income correlate with safety grades in Modesto?

The Modesto neighborhood data reveals a clear — though not absolute — relationship between median household income and safety grade. The three A-rated neighborhoods have median incomes of $163,315 (Del Rio), $100,060 (Enslen), and $78,652 (Vintage Fair Estates), all well above the city median of $62,182. Meanwhile, the lowest-graded neighborhood, Downtown (B-), has a median income of just $28,735 — less than half the city median. However, the correlation isn't perfect: Hintze / Fairmont earns only a B despite a median income of $82,304, while La Loma earns a B+ with a median income of just $49,979. This suggests that factors beyond income — such as population density, neighborhood cohesion, and proximity to commercial corridors — also shape local crime patterns. The crime map's interactive filters allow you to explore these nuances block by block.