Moving from Modesto, CA to Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Relocating between Modesto, CA and Rancho Cucamonga, CA is a 348 mi drive β 6h 33m 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.
348 mi Β· 6h 33m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 99, I 5, I 210 |
| 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 | Rancho Cucamonga | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 104.108 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 152.259 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 108.476 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
Modesto and Rancho Cucamonga 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 climbs from $446,494 in Modesto to $792,765 in Rancho Cucamonga, a 2.2% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Modesto -0.7%, Rancho Cucamonga -0.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Modesto | Rancho Cucamonga |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 39Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 95Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 12.3" | 11.6" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 63.1Β°F vs 66.8Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MODESTO CITY CO AP, CA US, ONTARIO INTL AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Modesto | Rancho Cucamonga |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,614 | 174,693 |
| Median household income | $77,899 | $109,511 |
| Median age | 35.4 | 37.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 13.8% | 22.8% |
| Avg household size | 3.02 | 3.01 |
Expect median household income to rise 2.2% β $77,899 β $109,511 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Rancho Cucamonga MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 267,890 | $47,210 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 177,100 | $47,040 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 167,590 | $34,570 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 136,950 | $36,420 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 115,940 | $32,240 |
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 Rancho Cucamonga average 94Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Rancho Cucamonga sees only 11.6 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 Rancho Cucamonga compared to Modesto?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $792,765 in Rancho Cucamonga vs $446,494 in Modesto β a 77.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Rancho Cucamonga more expensive than Modesto?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Rancho Cucamonga is 2.2% higher than Modesto (106.442 vs 104.108, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Modesto to Rancho Cucamonga?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 348 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 Rancho Cucamonga compare to Modesto?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Rancho Cucamonga MSA vs $47,720 in the Modesto MSA, on total employment of 1,661,860 and 192,020 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Modesto vs Rancho Cucamonga?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $109,511 in Rancho Cucamonga vs $77,899 in Modesto β a 40.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Rancho Cucamonga, CA from Modesto, CA?
The driving distance is 348 mi and the route typically takes 6h 33m via CA 99 and I 5. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Modesto.
City profiles: Modesto, CA Β· Rancho Cucamonga, CA.