Moving from Modesto, CA to League City, TX
Cross-country relocations like Modesto, CA β League City, TX cover 1882 mi and about 32h 40m of driving through 4 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.
1882 mi Β· 32h 40m 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
| Modesto | League City | 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 |
RPP moves from 104.108 to 98.629, putting League City roughly 5.3% below Modesto on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Moderate housing drop: League City ZHVI at $372,300 is 5.3% below Modesto at $446,494.
YoY change: Modesto -0.7%, League City -1.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Modesto | League City |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63Β°F | 71Β°F |
| January avg low | 39Β°F | 46Β°F |
| July avg high | 95Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.3" | 60.2" |
Climate warms by 7.5Β°F on the annual average β 63.1Β°F β 70.6Β°F.
Effectively snow-free year in League City β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MODESTO CITY CO AP, CA US, HOUSTON NWSO, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Modesto | League City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,614 | 114,885 |
| Median household income | $77,899 | $119,870 |
| Median age | 35.4 | 37.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 13.8% | 32.7% |
| Avg household size | 3.02 | 2.68 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 5.3% between Modesto and League City (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in League City 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
- 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 League City average 92Β°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: League City averages 60.2 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 League City?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $119,870 in League City vs $77,899 in Modesto β a 53.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in League City compared to Modesto?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $372,300 in League City vs $446,494 in Modesto β a 16.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is League City, TX from Modesto, CA?
The driving distance is 1882 mi and the route typically takes 32h 40m via I 10 and CA 99. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in League City compare to Modesto?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the League City 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.
When is the best time to move from Modesto to League City?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1882 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is League City more expensive than Modesto?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in League City 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· League City, TX.