Social inequalities pose significant barriers to cultural integration in multi-ethnic societies, potentially hindering peaceful coexistence and equal participation. This study investigates the impact of social inequalities on the cultural integration of ethnic groups in Isfahan, Iran. The research adopts an applied, descriptive-correlational design, targeting an estimated population of 550,000 migrants residing in Isfahan. A sample of 400 participants was determined using Cochran’s formula and selected through random cluster sampling. Data were collected via a researcher-designed questionnaire, with convergent validity and reliability confirmed using structural equation modeling in SmartPLS3 (Cronbach’s alpha > 0.87, composite reliability > 0.79). Data analysis was conducted using SPSS26 and SmartPLS3. The results revealed that social inequalities have a significant negative relationship with cultural integration (path coefficient = -0.854). Four dimensions of social inequality—opportunities for advancement (path coefficient = 0.855), real wages, the government’s role in resource redistribution, and social conflicts (path coefficient = -0.566)—demonstrated significant effects on cultural integration. Opportunities for advancement exhibited the strongest positive effect, while social conflicts showed the weakest negative effect. The model’s R² for cultural integration (0.79) indicates high explanatory power, with all conceptual paths confirmed at a significance level of 0.05 (T-statistic > 1.96). The findings underscore that cultural integration is influenced by unequal social, economic, and institutional structures. These results highlight the necessity of justice-oriented policies and structural interventions to enhance cultural integration.