Moving from Modesto, CA to Sacramento, CA
Moving from Modesto, CA to Sacramento, CA covers 73 mi and about 1h 26m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
73 mi Β· 1h 26m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 99, I 80 BUSINESS |
| Major cities en route | Roseville, Elk Grove, Antioch, Stockton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Modesto | Sacramento | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 104.108 | 106.67 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 152.259 | 151.29 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 108.476 | 130.23 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Modesto (104.108) and Sacramento (106.67) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Moderate housing step-up: Sacramento at $479,766 is 2.5% above Modesto at $446,494.
YoY change: Modesto -0.7%, Sacramento -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Modesto | Sacramento |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63Β°F | 63Β°F |
| January avg low | 39Β°F | 41Β°F |
| July avg high | 95Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.3" | 19.2" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Sacramento β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MODESTO CITY CO AP, CA US, SACRAMENTO 5 ESE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Modesto | Sacramento |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,614 | 524,802 |
| Median household income | $77,899 | $83,753 |
| Median age | 35.4 | 35.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 13.8% | 22.9% |
| Avg household size | 3.02 | 2.63 |
Median household income in Sacramento is 2.5% above Modesto ($77,899 β $83,753, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Sacramento MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 127,580 | $49,240 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 92,040 | $35,560 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 79,450 | $43,790 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 78,260 | $38,490 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 71,860 | $81,700 |
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 Sacramento average 94Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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
Is Sacramento more expensive than Modesto?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Sacramento is 2.5% higher than Modesto (106.67 vs 104.108, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Sacramento compared to Modesto?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $479,766 in Sacramento vs $446,494 in Modesto β a 7.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Modesto vs Sacramento?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $83,753 in Sacramento vs $77,899 in Modesto β a 7.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Sacramento, CA from Modesto, CA?
The driving distance is 73 mi and the route typically takes 1h 26m via CA 99 and I 80 BUSINESS. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Sacramento compare to Modesto?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $55,290 in the Sacramento MSA vs $47,720 in the Modesto MSA, on total employment of 1,048,170 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 Sacramento?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 73 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Modesto.
City profiles: Modesto, CA Β· Sacramento, CA.