Moving from Modesto, CA to South Fulton, GA
It is 2385 mi and 41h 53m from Modesto to South Fulton β a cross-country move across 10 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
2385 mi Β· 41h 53m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX β OK β AR β TN β MS β AL β GA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX β OK β AR β TN β MS β AL β GA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 78, CA 99 |
| 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 | South Fulton | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 104.108 | 100.058 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 152.259 | 96.239 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 100.416 | 100.0 |
| Services | 108.476 | 111.022 | 100.0 |
Modesto and South Fulton sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: Modesto -0.7%, South Fulton β. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Modesto | South Fulton |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63Β°F | 64Β°F |
| January avg low | 39Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 95Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 2.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.3" | 50.4" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 63.1Β°F vs 63.6Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Expect 2.2 in of snow annually at the destination β manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MODESTO CITY CO AP, CA US, ATLANTA HARTSFIELD INTL AP, GA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Modesto | South Fulton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,614 | 109,157 |
| Median household income | $77,899 | $81,798 |
| Median age | 35.4 | 35.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 13.8% | 24.2% |
| Avg household size | 3.02 | 2.76 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 3.9% higher in South Fulton than Modesto.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in South Fulton MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 350,210 | $43,410 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 317,700 | $40,250 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 275,750 | $35,560 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 257,700 | $79,020 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 242,360 | $28,720 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Georgia
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Georgia'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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in South Fulton average 90Β°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: South Fulton averages 50.4 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Tropical storms are possible August through October on the Atlantic coast.
- 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 Georgia after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in South Fulton compare to Modesto?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,370 in the South Fulton MSA vs $47,720 in the Modesto MSA, on total employment of 2,817,660 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 South Fulton?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2385 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is South Fulton more expensive than Modesto?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in South Fulton is 3.9% lower than Modesto (100.058 vs 104.108, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is South Fulton, GA from Modesto, CA?
The driving distance is 2385 mi and the route typically takes 41h 53m via I 40 and US 78. The trip crosses 10 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Modesto vs South Fulton?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $81,798 in South Fulton vs $77,899 in Modesto β a 5.0% 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· South Fulton, GA.