Moving from San Jose, CA to Modesto, CA
Relocating between San Jose, CA and Modesto, CA is a 85 mi drive β 1h 45m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
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
| San Jose | Modesto | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 110.423 | 104.108 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 156.659 | 152.259 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 211.901 | 108.476 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 5.7% cheaper overall in Modesto than San Jose on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
5.7% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: San Jose -2.5%, Modesto -0.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | San Jose | Modesto |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 63Β°F |
| January avg low | 43Β°F | 39Β°F |
| July avg high | 82Β°F | 95Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 16.1" | 12.3" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SAN JOSE, CA US, MODESTO CITY CO AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Jose | Modesto |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 990,054 | 218,614 |
| Median household income | $141,565 | $77,899 |
| Median age | 38.1 | 35.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.2% | 13.8% |
| Avg household size | 3.03 | 3.02 |
Expect median household income to fall 5.7% β $141,565 β $77,899 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Modesto MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 22,970 | $45,490 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 20,080 | $47,540 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 19,760 | $34,710 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 15,890 | $36,840 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 14,170 | $65,580 |
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 Modesto average 95Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Modesto sees only 12.3 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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 does household income compare in San Jose vs Modesto?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $77,899 in Modesto vs $141,565 in San Jose β a 45.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Modesto compare to San Jose?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,720 in the Modesto MSA vs $81,470 in the San Jose MSA, on total employment of 192,020 and 1,141,820 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from San Jose to Modesto?
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.
Is Modesto more expensive than San Jose?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Modesto is 5.7% lower than San Jose (104.108 vs 110.423, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Modesto compared to San Jose?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $446,494 in Modesto vs $1,463,614 in San Jose β a 69.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Modesto, CA from San Jose, 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.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from San Jose.
City profiles: San Jose, CA Β· Modesto, CA.