Moving from Modesto, CA to Tyler, TX
A 1749 mi cross-country move between Modesto and Tyler is 30h 48m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 4 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1749 mi Β· 30h 48m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 287, CA 99 |
| 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 | Tyler | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 104.108 | 92.156 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 152.259 | 82.904 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 108.476 | 79.911 | 100.0 |
Expect about 11.5% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Tyler at 92.156 vs Modesto at 104.108.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 11.5% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $446,494 to $251,563 moving to Tyler.
YoY change: Modesto -0.7%, Tyler -1.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Modesto | Tyler |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 39Β°F | 39Β°F |
| July avg high | 95Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 12.3" | 47.7" |
Annual average temperatures in Modesto (63.1Β°F) and Tyler (66.5Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MODESTO CITY CO AP, CA US, TYLER, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Modesto | Tyler |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,614 | 107,718 |
| Median household income | $77,899 | $65,527 |
| Median age | 35.4 | 35.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 13.8% | 20.4% |
| Avg household size | 3.02 | 2.86 |
Households in Tyler earn about 11.5% less at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Tyler MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 12,210 | $37,410 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 11,080 | $38,150 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 10,660 | $71,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 10,430 | $26,300 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 10,210 | $30,020 |
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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Tyler average 93Β°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 far is Tyler, TX from Modesto, CA?
The driving distance is 1749 mi and the route typically takes 30h 48m via I 40 and US 287. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Modesto to Tyler?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1749 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Tyler more expensive than Modesto?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tyler is 11.5% lower than Modesto (92.156 vs 104.108, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Tyler compared to Modesto?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $251,563 in Tyler vs $446,494 in Modesto β a 43.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Modesto vs Tyler?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,527 in Tyler vs $77,899 in Modesto β a 15.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Tyler compare to Modesto?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,080 in the Tyler MSA vs $47,720 in the Modesto MSA, on total employment of 111,520 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· Tyler, TX.