Moving from Allen, TX to Modesto, CA
It is 1655 mi and 29h 8m from Allen to Modesto β a cross-country move across 4 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
1655 mi Β· 29h 8m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 287, CA 99 |
| Major cities en route | Stockton, Fresno, Clovis, Visalia, Bakersfield |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Allen | Modesto | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 104.108 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 152.259 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 108.476 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 1.0% under Allen β $493,532 β $446,494 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Allen -6.4%, Modesto -0.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Allen | Modesto |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 63Β°F |
| January avg low | 34Β°F | 39Β°F |
| July avg high | 95Β°F | 95Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 38.3" | 12.3" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MCKINNEY MUNI AP, TX US, MODESTO CITY CO AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Allen | Modesto |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,684 | 218,614 |
| Median household income | $129,130 | $77,899 |
| Median age | 38.5 | 35.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33.6% | 13.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.97 | 3.02 |
Expect median household income to fall 1.0% β $129,130 β $77,899 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Modesto MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 22,970 | $45,490 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 20,080 | $47,540 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 19,760 | $34,710 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 15,890 | $36,840 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 14,170 | $65,580 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Modesto average 95Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Modesto sees only 12.3 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Modesto compare to Allen?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,720 in the Modesto MSA vs $48,440 in the Allen MSA, on total employment of 192,020 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Allen vs Modesto?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $77,899 in Modesto vs $129,130 in Allen β a 39.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Modesto more expensive than Allen?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Modesto is 1.0% higher than Allen (104.108 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Allen to Modesto?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1655 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Modesto, CA from Allen, TX?
The driving distance is 1655 mi and the route typically takes 29h 8m via I 40 and US 287. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Modesto compared to Allen?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $446,494 in Modesto vs $493,532 in Allen β a 9.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Allen.
City profiles: Allen, TX Β· Modesto, CA.