Home Insurance in Modesto, California
Homes in Modesto carry a median value of $442,700 - close to the Stanislaus County median.
The typical home in Modesto was built around 1978. Because older housing stock often has aging wiring, roofing or plumbing, it can cost more to insure or rebuild. About 20% of homes were built before 1960, in line with Stanislaus County (19%).
Housing in Modesto breaks down to 77% single-family homes, 13% apartments in buildings with 5+ units and 2% mobile or manufactured homes.
About 66% of owner-occupied homes in Modesto have a mortgage. Lenders require hazard (homeowners) insurance on any home carrying a mortgage.
The vacancy rate is 4%; vacant or unoccupied homes typically need a different coverage form than an owner-occupied policy. About 59% of occupied homes in Modesto are owner-occupied.
In Modesto, 67% of homes are primarily heated with natural gas.
FEMA rates Stanislaus County's overall risk as Relatively High, led by earthquake (Relatively High). Stanislaus County had 831 active NFIP flood policies as of September 2026. See the full Stanislaus County home insurance overview for all FEMA hazard ratings and flood coverage details. Earthquake damage is excluded from a standard homeowners policy.
According to the NAIC homeowners insurance report (2023 data), a standard HO-3 homeowners policy in California carries a statewide average premium of $1,655 per year.
Key figures
| Median home value | $442,700 |
|---|---|
| Median year built | 1978 |
| Owner-occupied share | 59% |
| Share of owner-occupied homes with a mortgage | 66% |
| Top county hazard | Earthquake (Relatively High) |
| Active NFIP policies in Stanislaus County | 831 |
| Home insurance premium | $1,655 - statewide average (NAIC, 2023 data) |
Nearby towns
Sources
Data last updated: 2026-09-29
- U.S. Census Bureau Gazetteer Files (2024)
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates (2024)
- FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025)
- FEMA OpenFEMA NFIP Redacted Policies v3 (2026)
- NAIC Dwelling Fire, Homeowners Owner-Occupied, and Homeowners Tenant and Condominium/Cooperative Unit Owners Insurance: Data for 2023 (published 2026) (2023)