Moving from Modesto, CA to Stockton, CA
The drive from Modesto to Stockton covers 33 mi in about 43 min. Local moves still matter — school districts, tax jurisdictions, and housing micromarkets can all flip across short distances. This page pulls the latest federal and Zillow figures into a single side-by-side comparison to make those differences visible.
33 mi · 43 min by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 99, CA 4 |
| Major cities en route | Antioch |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Modesto | Stockton | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 104.108 | 105.089 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 152.259 | 158.247 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 108.476 | 115.614 | 100.0 |
Stockton and Modesto are close on the overall BEA RPP (104.108 vs 105.089); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home values are comparable between the two cities on the latest Zillow ZHVI.
YoY change: Modesto -0.7%, Stockton -3.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Modesto | Stockton |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63°F | 64°F |
| January avg low | 39°F | 39°F |
| July avg high | 95°F | 95°F |
| Annual snowfall | — | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.3" | 17.3" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 63.1°F vs 63.9°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Stockton sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: MODESTO CITY CO AP, CA US, STOCKTON FIRE STN 4, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Modesto | Stockton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,614 | 320,470 |
| Median household income | $77,899 | $76,851 |
| Median age | 35.4 | 33.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 13.8% | 13% |
| Avg household size | 3.02 | 3.26 |
Household income lines up — $77,899 vs $76,851 on ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Stockton MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 57,370 | $47,990 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 29,980 | $48,070 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 22,030 | $34,430 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 20,670 | $37,090 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | 18,640 | $47,930 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% 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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Stockton average 95°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October — 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 far is Stockton, CA from Modesto, CA?
The driving distance is 33 mi and the route typically takes 43 min via CA 99 and CA 4. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Stockton compare to Modesto?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,370 in the Stockton MSA vs $47,720 in the Modesto MSA, on total employment of 278,010 and 192,020 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Modesto vs Stockton?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $76,851 in Stockton vs $77,899 in Modesto — a 1.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Stockton compared to Modesto?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $431,328 in Stockton vs $446,494 in Modesto — a 3.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Stockton more expensive than Modesto?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Stockton is 0.9% higher than Modesto (105.089 vs 104.108, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Modesto to Stockton?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 33 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Modesto.
City profiles: Modesto, CA · Stockton, CA.