Moving from Modesto, CA to Broken Arrow, OK
Cross-country relocations like Modesto, CA β Broken Arrow, OK cover 1660 mi and about 28h 58m of driving through 5 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1660 mi Β· 28h 58m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX β OK
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX β OK |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, CA 99, I 44 |
| 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 | Broken Arrow | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 104.108 | 89.214 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 152.259 | 73.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 93.778 | 100.0 |
| Services | 108.476 | 68.235 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 104.108 to 89.214, putting Broken Arrow roughly 14.3% below Modesto on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Broken Arrow: 14.3% below Modesto on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Modesto -0.7%, Broken Arrow +2.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Modesto | Broken Arrow |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 39Β°F | 26Β°F |
| July avg high | 95Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 12.3" | β |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MODESTO CITY CO AP, CA US, BIXBY, OK US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Modesto | Broken Arrow |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,614 | 115,919 |
| Median household income | $77,899 | $85,220 |
| Median age | 35.4 | 37 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 13.8% | 24.5% |
| Avg household size | 3.02 | 2.66 |
Income steps up 14.3%: $77,899 in Modesto vs $85,220 in Broken Arrow.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Broken Arrow MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 57,490 | $39,200 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 42,230 | $33,990 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 42,030 | $26,730 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 40,710 | $36,500 |
| Production Occupations | 33,610 | $44,720 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Oklahoma
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Oklahoma'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 Broken Arrow average 94Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Tornado season peaks April through June β identify a safe room or interior space in the new home on day one.
- 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 Oklahoma after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Broken Arrow, OK from Modesto, CA?
The driving distance is 1660 mi and the route typically takes 28h 58m via I 40 and CA 99. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Broken Arrow compare to Modesto?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,140 in the Broken Arrow MSA vs $47,720 in the Modesto MSA, on total employment of 443,020 and 192,020 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Modesto to Broken Arrow?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1660 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Broken Arrow more expensive than Modesto?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Broken Arrow is 14.3% lower than Modesto (89.214 vs 104.108, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Broken Arrow compared to Modesto?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $286,846 in Broken Arrow vs $446,494 in Modesto β a 35.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Modesto vs Broken Arrow?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $85,220 in Broken Arrow vs $77,899 in Modesto β a 9.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Modesto.
City profiles: Modesto, CA Β· Broken Arrow, OK.