Moving from Modesto, CA to Richmond, VA
Cross-country relocations like Modesto, CA β Richmond, VA cover 2835 mi and about 49h 60m of driving through 8 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
2835 mi Β· 49h 60m by car Β· VA β TN β AR β OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | VA β TN β AR β OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 81, CA 99 |
| Major cities en route | Knoxville, Murfreesboro, Memphis, Little Rock, Oklahoma City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Modesto | Richmond | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 104.108 | 97.858 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 152.259 | 89.221 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 96.773 | 100.0 |
| Services | 108.476 | 99.136 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Richmond are 6.0% 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
Zillow typical home value is 6.0% lower in Richmond than Modesto as of 2026-03.
YoY change: Modesto -0.7%, Richmond +1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Modesto | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63Β°F | 59Β°F |
| January avg low | 39Β°F | 29Β°F |
| July avg high | 95Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 8.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.3" | 45.5" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 63.1Β°F vs 58.9Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Expect 8.8 in of snow annually at the destination β manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MODESTO CITY CO AP, CA US, RICHMOND INTL AP, VA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Modesto | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,614 | 227,595 |
| Median household income | $77,899 | $62,671 |
| Median age | 35.4 | 34.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 13.8% | 26% |
| Avg household size | 3.02 | 2.23 |
Income steps down 6.0%: $77,899 in Modesto vs $62,671 in Richmond.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Richmond MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 82,810 | $43,760 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 61,000 | $36,060 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 58,830 | $43,620 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 57,620 | $78,170 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 50,860 | $30,140 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Virginia
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Virginia'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
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- 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.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Richmond compared to Modesto?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $369,646 in Richmond vs $446,494 in Modesto β a 17.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Richmond more expensive than Modesto?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Richmond is 6.0% lower than Modesto (97.858 vs 104.108, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Richmond, VA from Modesto, CA?
The driving distance is 2835 mi and the route typically takes 49h 60m via I 40 and I 81. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Modesto vs Richmond?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,671 in Richmond vs $77,899 in Modesto β a 19.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Modesto to Richmond?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2835 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 Richmond compare to Modesto?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,470 in the Richmond MSA vs $47,720 in the Modesto MSA, on total employment of 647,440 and 192,020 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Modesto.
City profiles: Modesto, CA Β· Richmond, VA.