Moving from Modesto, CA to El Monte, CA
Moving from Modesto, CA to El Monte, CA covers 325 mi and about 6h 7m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
325 mi Β· 6h 7m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 99, I 5, I 5 TRUCK |
| 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 | El Monte | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 104.108 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 152.259 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 108.476 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in El Monte is 9.1% higher than Modesto, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in El Monte is 9.1% above Modesto β $446,494 vs $765,444 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Modesto -0.7%, El Monte +0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Modesto | El Monte |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 39Β°F | 46Β°F |
| July avg high | 95Β°F | 86Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.3" | 15.7" |
Annual average temperatures in Modesto (63.1Β°F) and El Monte (66.0Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
El Monte gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MODESTO CITY CO AP, CA US, SAN GABRIEL FIRE DEPT, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Modesto | El Monte |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,614 | 107,066 |
| Median household income | $77,899 | $64,484 |
| Median age | 35.4 | 38.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 13.8% | 11.4% |
| Avg household size | 3.02 | 3.62 |
Median household income in El Monte is 9.1% below Modesto ($77,899 β $64,484, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in El Monte MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
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
- 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 Modesto vs El Monte?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $64,484 in El Monte vs $77,899 in Modesto β a 17.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Modesto to El Monte?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 325 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is El Monte, CA from Modesto, CA?
The driving distance is 325 mi and the route typically takes 6h 7m via CA 99 and I 5. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in El Monte compare to Modesto?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the El Monte MSA vs $47,720 in the Modesto MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 192,020 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in El Monte compared to Modesto?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $765,444 in El Monte vs $446,494 in Modesto β a 71.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is El Monte more expensive than Modesto?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in El Monte is 9.1% higher than Modesto (113.566 vs 104.108, 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 Modesto.
City profiles: Modesto, CA Β· El Monte, CA.