Moving from Modesto, CA to San Jose, CA
It is a 85 mi drive, roughly 1h 45m, between Modesto, CA and San Jose, CA. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
85 mi Β· 1h 45m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 680, I 205, CA 99 |
| Major cities en route | Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, Fremont, San Mateo, Hayward |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Modesto | San Jose | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 104.108 | 110.423 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 152.259 | 156.659 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 108.476 | 211.901 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 6.1% higher cost of living β rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 6.1% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $446,494 to $1,463,614 moving to San Jose.
YoY change: Modesto -0.7%, San Jose -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Modesto | San Jose |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 39Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 95Β°F | 82Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.3" | 16.1" |
Annual average temperatures in Modesto (63.1Β°F) and San Jose (61.5Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
San Jose 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 JOSE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Modesto | San Jose |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,614 | 990,054 |
| Median household income | $77,899 | $141,565 |
| Median age | 35.4 | 38.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 13.8% | 26.2% |
| Avg household size | 3.02 | 3.03 |
San Jose households earn about 6.1% more than Modesto at the median β $77,899 β $141,565 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in San Jose MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Computer and Mathematical Occupations | 161,790 | $175,110 |
| Management Occupations | 119,300 | $206,650 |
| Software Developers | 96,590 | $199,100 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 93,740 | $59,850 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 90,500 | $120,970 |
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
- 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 far is San Jose, CA from Modesto, CA?
The driving distance is 85 mi and the route typically takes 1h 45m via I 680 and I 205. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in San Jose compared to Modesto?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,463,614 in San Jose vs $446,494 in Modesto β a 227.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Modesto to San Jose?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 85 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 San Jose compare to Modesto?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $81,470 in the San Jose MSA vs $47,720 in the Modesto MSA, on total employment of 1,141,820 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 San Jose?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $141,565 in San Jose vs $77,899 in Modesto β a 81.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is San Jose more expensive than Modesto?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in San Jose is 6.1% higher than Modesto (110.423 vs 104.108, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Modesto.
City profiles: Modesto, CA Β· San Jose, CA.