Moving from Modesto, CA to Mobile, AL
Moving from Modesto, CA to Mobile, AL is a 2238 mi cross-country relocation β about 40h 4m of driving through 7 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
2238 mi Β· 40h 4m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX β LA β MS β AL
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX β LA β MS β AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 20, US 287 |
| Major cities en route | Stockton, Fresno, Clovis, Visalia, Bakersfield |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Modesto | Mobile | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 104.108 | 88.098 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 152.259 | 84.185 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 108.476 | 60.116 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Mobile are 15.4% below Modesto β a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Mobile typical home at $194,564 is 15.4% under Modesto at $446,494 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Modesto -0.7%, Mobile -2.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Modesto | Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63Β°F | 69Β°F |
| January avg low | 39Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 95Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 12.3" | 60.5" |
Mobile runs 6.0Β°F warmer on the annual average (63.1Β°F vs 69.1Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MODESTO CITY CO AP, CA US, MOBILE DWTN AP, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Modesto | Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,614 | 185,097 |
| Median household income | $77,899 | $51,090 |
| Median age | 35.4 | 37.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 13.8% | 20% |
| Avg household size | 3.02 | 2.39 |
Median household income in Mobile is 15.4% below Modesto ($77,899 vs $51,090, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Mobile MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 20,320 | $36,270 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 19,630 | $37,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 16,350 | $31,060 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 14,680 | $23,720 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 12,550 | $64,370 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Alabama
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Alabama'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 Mobile average 92Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Mobile averages 60.5 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Hurricane season runs June through November on the Gulf Coast.
- 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 Alabama after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Mobile, AL from Modesto, CA?
The driving distance is 2238 mi and the route typically takes 40h 4m via I 40 and I 20. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Modesto vs Mobile?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,090 in Mobile vs $77,899 in Modesto β a 34.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Mobile compare to Modesto?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $41,660 in the Mobile MSA vs $47,720 in the Modesto MSA, on total employment of 169,730 and 192,020 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Modesto to Mobile?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2238 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Mobile more expensive than Modesto?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Mobile is 15.4% lower than Modesto (88.098 vs 104.108, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Mobile compared to Modesto?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $194,564 in Mobile vs $446,494 in Modesto β a 56.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Modesto.
City profiles: Modesto, CA Β· Mobile, AL.