Moving from Carlsbad, CA to Modesto, CA
Relocating between Carlsbad, CA and Modesto, CA is a 405 mi drive β 7h 44m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
405 mi Β· 7h 44m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 99, I 5, I 5 TRUCK |
| Major cities en route | Stockton, Fresno, Clovis, Visalia, Bakersfield |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Carlsbad | Modesto | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.887 | 104.108 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 174.247 | 152.259 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.963 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 179.267 | 108.476 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 7.0% cheaper overall in Modesto than Carlsbad on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
7.0% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Carlsbad -3.9%, Modesto -0.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Carlsbad | Modesto |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63Β°F | 63Β°F |
| January avg low | 48Β°F | 39Β°F |
| July avg high | 74Β°F | 95Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 11.4" | 12.3" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CARLSBAD PALOMAR AP, CA US, MODESTO CITY CO AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Carlsbad | Modesto |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,500 | 218,614 |
| Median household income | $139,326 | $77,899 |
| Median age | 42.8 | 35.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 36.8% | 13.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 3.02 |
Expect median household income to fall 7.0% β $139,326 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.
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.
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.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Modesto compared to Carlsbad?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $446,494 in Modesto vs $1,370,649 in Carlsbad β a 67.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Modesto, CA from Carlsbad, CA?
The driving distance is 405 mi and the route typically takes 7h 44m via CA 99 and I 5. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Carlsbad vs Modesto?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $77,899 in Modesto vs $139,326 in Carlsbad β a 44.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Modesto compare to Carlsbad?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,720 in the Modesto MSA vs $53,090 in the Carlsbad MSA, on total employment of 192,020 and 1,522,620 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Carlsbad to Modesto?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 405 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Modesto more expensive than Carlsbad?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Modesto is 7.0% lower than Carlsbad (104.108 vs 111.887, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Carlsbad.
City profiles: Carlsbad, CA Β· Modesto, CA.