Moving from Santa Maria, CA to Modesto, CA
It is a 253 mi drive, roughly 5h 5m, between Santa Maria, CA and Modesto, CA. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
253 mi · 5h 5m by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, US 101, CA 46 |
| Major cities en route | Stockton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Maria | Modesto | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.798 | 104.108 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 149.807 | 152.259 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.394 | 108.476 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 108.798 vs 104.108 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 4.3% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $658,011 to $446,494 moving to Modesto.
YoY change: Santa Maria +1.5%, Modesto -0.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Santa Maria | Modesto |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59°F | 63°F |
| January avg low | 41°F | 39°F |
| July avg high | 73°F | 95°F |
| Annual snowfall | — | — |
| Annual precipitation | 13.3" | 12.3" |
Annual average temperatures in Santa Maria (58.6°F) and Modesto (63.1°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SANTA MARIA PUBLIC AP, CA US, MODESTO CITY CO AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Maria | Modesto |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 109,880 | 218,614 |
| Median household income | $84,617 | $77,899 |
| Median age | 29.3 | 35.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 11.2% | 13.8% |
| Avg household size | 3.78 | 3.02 |
Households in Modesto earn about 4.3% less at the median — ACS 5-year 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 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.
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 95°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 — 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 Santa Maria vs Modesto?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $77,899 in Modesto vs $84,617 in Santa Maria — a 7.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Modesto compared to Santa Maria?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $446,494 in Modesto vs $658,011 in Santa Maria — a 32.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Modesto more expensive than Santa Maria?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Modesto is 4.3% lower than Santa Maria (104.108 vs 108.798, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Santa Maria to Modesto?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 253 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Modesto, CA from Santa Maria, CA?
The driving distance is 253 mi and the route typically takes 5h 5m via I 5 and US 101. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Modesto compare to Santa Maria?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,720 in the Modesto MSA vs $48,280 in the Santa Maria MSA, on total employment of 192,020 and 202,410 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 Santa Maria.
City profiles: Santa Maria, CA · Modesto, CA.