Moving from Modesto, CA to Houston, TX
A 1853 mi cross-country move between Modesto and Houston is 32h 10m 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.
1853 mi Β· 32h 10m by car Β· TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 87, CA 99 |
| Major cities en route | Pasadena, Pearland, League City, Sugar Land, San Antonio |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Modesto | Houston | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 104.108 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 152.259 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 108.476 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 5.3% moving from Modesto to Houston β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $446,494 in Modesto to $264,336 in Houston, a 5.3% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Modesto -0.7%, Houston -2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Modesto | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63Β°F | 71Β°F |
| January avg low | 39Β°F | 44Β°F |
| July avg high | 95Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.3" | 54.1" |
Annual temperature rises 7.5Β°F moving to Houston per NOAA normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Houston sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MODESTO CITY CO AP, CA US, HOUSTON-PORT, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Modesto | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,614 | 2,300,419 |
| Median household income | $77,899 | $62,894 |
| Median age | 35.4 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 13.8% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 3.02 | 2.51 |
Households in Houston earn about 5.3% less at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Houston MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 387,430 | $41,570 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 305,780 | $39,450 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 288,170 | $27,490 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 269,160 | $35,450 |
| Management Occupations | 268,670 | $109,460 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- 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 Houston average 93Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Houston averages 54.1 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Modesto vs Houston?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,894 in Houston vs $77,899 in Modesto β a 19.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Modesto to Houston?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1853 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Houston compare to Modesto?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Houston MSA vs $47,720 in the Modesto MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 and 192,020 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Houston, TX from Modesto, CA?
The driving distance is 1853 mi and the route typically takes 32h 10m via I 10 and US 87. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Houston compared to Modesto?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $264,336 in Houston vs $446,494 in Modesto β a 40.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Houston more expensive than Modesto?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Houston is 5.3% lower than Modesto (98.629 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· Houston, TX.