Moving from Modesto, CA to Murfreesboro, TN
Moving from Modesto, CA to Murfreesboro, TN is a 2247 mi cross-country relocation β about 39h 13m of driving through 7 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
2247 mi Β· 39h 13m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX β OK β AR β TN
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX β OK β AR β TN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, CA 99, US 270 |
| 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 | Murfreesboro | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 104.108 | 96.338 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 152.259 | 71.95 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 96.247 | 100.0 |
| Services | 108.476 | 104.626 | 100.0 |
Murfreesboro is 7.5% cheaper than Modesto overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home values in Modesto and Murfreesboro are within 5% of each other ($446,494 vs $426,292 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Modesto -0.7%, Murfreesboro +0.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Modesto | Murfreesboro |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63Β°F | 59Β°F |
| January avg low | 39Β°F | 28Β°F |
| July avg high | 95Β°F | 89Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 2.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.3" | 55.9" |
Annual average temperatures in Modesto (63.1Β°F) and Murfreesboro (58.9Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Murfreesboro averages 2.2 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MODESTO CITY CO AP, CA US, MURFREESBORO 5 N, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Modesto | Murfreesboro |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,614 | 157,547 |
| Median household income | $77,899 | $76,241 |
| Median age | 35.4 | 31.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 13.8% | 26.7% |
| Avg household size | 3.02 | 2.69 |
Median household incomes in Modesto ($77,899) and Murfreesboro ($76,241) are within a few percent (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Murfreesboro MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 151,390 | $44,110 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 122,460 | $38,490 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 97,370 | $30,460 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 87,620 | $35,950 |
| Management Occupations | 87,180 | $106,770 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Tennessee
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Tennessee'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.
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Pack rain gear on top: Murfreesboro averages 55.9 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- 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 Tennessee after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Modesto to Murfreesboro?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2247 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Murfreesboro more expensive than Modesto?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Murfreesboro is 7.5% lower than Modesto (96.338 vs 104.108, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Murfreesboro compared to Modesto?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $426,292 in Murfreesboro vs $446,494 in Modesto β a 4.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Modesto vs Murfreesboro?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $76,241 in Murfreesboro vs $77,899 in Modesto β a 2.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Murfreesboro compare to Modesto?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,950 in the Murfreesboro MSA vs $47,720 in the Modesto MSA, on total employment of 1,074,750 and 192,020 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Murfreesboro, TN from Modesto, CA?
The driving distance is 2247 mi and the route typically takes 39h 13m via I 40 and CA 99. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Modesto.
City profiles: Modesto, CA Β· Murfreesboro, TN.