Moving from Sugar Land, TX to Modesto, CA
A 1850 mi cross-country move between Sugar Land and Modesto is 32h 4m 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.
1850 mi Β· 32h 4m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, CA 99, US 180 |
| Major cities en route | Stockton, Fresno, Clovis, Visalia, Bakersfield |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Sugar Land | Modesto | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.629 | 104.108 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.288 | 152.259 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.639 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 104.51 | 108.476 | 100.0 |
Modesto runs about 5.6% more expensive overall than Sugar Land β RPP 98.629 β 104.108.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI for Modesto ($446,494) sits close to Sugar Land ($447,176) β no material housing gap.
YoY change: Sugar Land -0.9%, Modesto -0.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Sugar Land | Modesto |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71Β°F | 63Β°F |
| January avg low | 43Β°F | 39Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 95Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 51.1" | 12.3" |
Annual temperature drops 7.5Β°F moving to Modesto per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SUGAR LAND, TX US, MODESTO CITY CO AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Sugar Land | Modesto |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 109,735 | 218,614 |
| Median household income | $137,511 | $77,899 |
| Median age | 42.5 | 35.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 35.2% | 13.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.9 | 3.02 |
Modesto households earn about 5.6% less than Sugar Land at the median β $137,511 β $77,899 on ACS 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.
Moving between Texas and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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 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.
- Register to vote in California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Modesto compared to Sugar Land?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $446,494 in Modesto vs $447,176 in Sugar Land β a 0.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Modesto compare to Sugar Land?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,720 in the Modesto MSA vs $46,960 in the Sugar Land MSA, on total employment of 192,020 and 3,179,460 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Sugar Land vs Modesto?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $77,899 in Modesto vs $137,511 in Sugar Land β a 43.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Sugar Land to Modesto?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1850 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Modesto, CA from Sugar Land, TX?
The driving distance is 1850 mi and the route typically takes 32h 4m via I 10 and CA 99. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Modesto more expensive than Sugar Land?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Modesto is 5.6% higher than Sugar Land (104.108 vs 98.629, 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 Sugar Land.
City profiles: Sugar Land, TX Β· Modesto, CA.