Moving from Elk Grove, CA to Goodyear, AZ
It is 737 mi between Elk Grove and Goodyear β roughly 13h 47m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 2 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
737 mi Β· 13h 47m by car Β· CA β AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 5, I 5 TRUCK |
| Major cities en route | Sacramento, Roseville, Stockton, Antioch, Modesto |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Elk Grove | Goodyear | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.67 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 151.29 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 130.23 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Elk Grove and Goodyear sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $637,450 in Elk Grove to $469,424 in Goodyear, a 3.1% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Elk Grove -3.5%, Goodyear -1.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Elk Grove | Goodyear |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 74Β°F |
| January avg low | 39Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 93Β°F | 107Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 18.1" | 7.4" |
Annual temperature rises 12.1Β°F moving to Goodyear per NOAA normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Goodyear sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SACRAMENTO EXECUTIVE AP, CA US, LAVEEN 3 SSE, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Elk Grove | Goodyear |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,221 | 102,891 |
| Median household income | $122,229 | $101,814 |
| Median age | 39 | 40.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.4% | 22.2% |
| Avg household size | 3.24 | 2.87 |
Households in Goodyear earn about 3.1% less at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Goodyear MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 314,170 | $45,080 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 205,010 | $34,400 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 204,700 | $37,700 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 199,140 | $40,870 |
| Management Occupations | 170,690 | $105,420 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Arizona
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Arizona'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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Goodyear average 107Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Goodyear sees only 7.4 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (12.1Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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 Arizona after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Goodyear compared to Elk Grove?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $469,424 in Goodyear vs $637,450 in Elk Grove β a 26.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Elk Grove to Goodyear?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 737 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Goodyear compare to Elk Grove?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Goodyear MSA vs $55,290 in the Elk Grove MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 1,048,170 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Elk Grove vs Goodyear?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $101,814 in Goodyear vs $122,229 in Elk Grove β a 16.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Goodyear, AZ from Elk Grove, CA?
The driving distance is 737 mi and the route typically takes 13h 47m via I 10 and I 5. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Goodyear more expensive than Elk Grove?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Goodyear is 3.1% lower than Elk Grove (103.316 vs 106.67, 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 Elk Grove.
City profiles: Elk Grove, CA Β· Goodyear, AZ.