Moving from Sacramento, CA to Goodyear, AZ
The drive from Sacramento, CA to Goodyear, AZ runs 749 mi — about 13h 58m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
749 mi · 13h 58m by car · CA → AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 5, I 5 TRUCK |
| Major cities en route | Roseville, Elk Grove, Antioch, Stockton, Modesto |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Sacramento | Goodyear | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.67 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 151.29 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 130.23 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Goodyear and Sacramento is within ±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) — plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home values in Sacramento and Goodyear are within 5% of each other ($479,766 vs $469,424 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Sacramento -2.5%, Goodyear -1.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Sacramento | Goodyear |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63°F | 74°F |
| January avg low | 41°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 107°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 19.2" | 7.4" |
Climate warms by 10.5°F on the annual average — 63.4°F → 73.9°F.
Goodyear gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SACRAMENTO 5 ESE, CA US, LAVEEN 3 SSE, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Sacramento | Goodyear |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 524,802 | 102,891 |
| Median household income | $83,753 | $101,814 |
| Median age | 35.7 | 40.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.9% | 22.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.63 | 2.87 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 3.1% between Sacramento and Goodyear (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Goodyear MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 314,170 | $45,080 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 205,010 | $34,400 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 204,700 | $37,700 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 199,140 | $40,870 |
| Management Occupations | 170,690 | $105,420 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Arizona
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Arizona'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 — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% 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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Goodyear average 107°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Goodyear sees only 7.4 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (10.5°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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 Arizona after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Goodyear compared to Sacramento?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $469,424 in Goodyear vs $479,766 in Sacramento — a 2.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Sacramento to Goodyear?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 749 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Sacramento vs Goodyear?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $101,814 in Goodyear vs $83,753 in Sacramento — a 21.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Goodyear compare to Sacramento?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Goodyear MSA vs $55,290 in the Sacramento MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 1,048,170 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Sacramento and Goodyear?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 73.9°F in Goodyear vs 63.4°F in Sacramento (10.5°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 7.4 in vs 19.2 in.
How far is Goodyear, AZ from Sacramento, CA?
The driving distance is 749 mi and the route typically takes 13h 58m via I 10 and I 5. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Goodyear more expensive than Sacramento?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Goodyear is 3.1% lower than Sacramento (103.316 vs 106.67, 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 Sacramento.
City profiles: Sacramento, CA · Goodyear, AZ.