Moving from Modesto, CA to San Antonio, TX
Cross-country relocations like Modesto, CA β San Antonio, TX cover 1659 mi and about 28h 43m of driving through 4 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.
1659 mi Β· 28h 43m by car Β· TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 87, CA 99 |
| Major cities en route | El Paso, Las Cruces, Tucson, Chandler, Gilbert |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Modesto | San Antonio | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 104.108 | 94.716 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 152.259 | 82.169 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 108.476 | 94.575 | 100.0 |
San Antonio is 9.0% cheaper than Modesto overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in San Antonio is 9.0% below Modesto β $446,494 vs $249,810 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Modesto -0.7%, San Antonio -2.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Modesto | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63Β°F | 69Β°F |
| January avg low | 39Β°F | 40Β°F |
| July avg high | 95Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.3" | 34.0" |
Climate warms by 5.9Β°F on the annual average β 63.1Β°F β 69.0Β°F.
San Antonio gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MODESTO CITY CO AP, CA US, SAN ANTONIO INCARNATE WORD, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Modesto | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,614 | 1,458,954 |
| Median household income | $77,899 | $62,917 |
| Median age | 35.4 | 34.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 13.8% | 17.7% |
| Avg household size | 3.02 | 2.66 |
Income steps down 9.0%: $77,899 in Modesto vs $62,917 in San Antonio.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in San Antonio MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 145,480 | $41,700 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 109,390 | $28,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 100,480 | $37,340 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 93,110 | $34,910 |
| Management Occupations | 82,250 | $100,820 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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
- 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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in San Antonio average 94Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in San Antonio compare to Modesto?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,390 in the San Antonio MSA vs $47,720 in the Modesto MSA, on total employment of 1,091,510 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 San Antonio?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1659 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is San Antonio more expensive than Modesto?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in San Antonio is 9.0% lower than Modesto (94.716 vs 104.108, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is San Antonio, TX from Modesto, CA?
The driving distance is 1659 mi and the route typically takes 28h 43m via I 10 and US 87. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Modesto vs San Antonio?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,917 in San Antonio vs $77,899 in Modesto β a 19.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in San Antonio compared to Modesto?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $249,810 in San Antonio vs $446,494 in Modesto β a 44.1% 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· San Antonio, TX.