Moving from Modesto, CA to Toledo, OH
A 2343 mi cross-country move between Modesto and Toledo is 40h 38m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 9 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.
2343 mi Β· 40h 38m by car Β· OH β IN β IL β IA β NE β WY β UT β NV β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | OH β IN β IL β IA β NE β WY β UT β NV β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 80 EXPRESS, I 90 |
| Major cities en route | South Bend, Chicago, Aurora, Joliet, Naperville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Modesto | Toledo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 104.108 | 91.455 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 152.259 | 96.285 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 93.628 | 100.0 |
| Services | 108.476 | 67.317 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 12.2% cheaper overall in Toledo than Modesto on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
12.2% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Modesto -0.7%, Toledo +5.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Modesto | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63Β°F | 51Β°F |
| January avg low | 39Β°F | 20Β°F |
| July avg high | 95Β°F | 85Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 12.3" | 32.4" |
Annual temperature drops 11.7Β°F moving to Toledo per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MODESTO CITY CO AP, CA US, TOLEDO METCALF FLD, OH US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Modesto | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,614 | 268,461 |
| Median household income | $77,899 | $47,532 |
| Median age | 35.4 | 35.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 13.8% | 13.7% |
| Avg household size | 3.02 | 2.27 |
Toledo households earn about 12.2% less than Modesto at the median β $77,899 β $47,532 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Toledo MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 33,160 | $39,900 |
| Production Occupations | 31,420 | $45,220 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 30,850 | $41,570 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 27,870 | $28,590 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 22,710 | $32,930 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Ohio
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Ohio'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
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- 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
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (11.7Β°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- 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 Ohio after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Modesto vs Toledo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $47,532 in Toledo vs $77,899 in Modesto β a 39.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Toledo compared to Modesto?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $129,627 in Toledo vs $446,494 in Modesto β a 71.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Toledo more expensive than Modesto?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Toledo is 12.2% lower than Modesto (91.455 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 Toledo?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2343 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 Toledo compare to Modesto?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,740 in the Toledo MSA vs $47,720 in the Modesto MSA, on total employment of 290,070 and 192,020 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Toledo, OH from Modesto, CA?
The driving distance is 2343 mi and the route typically takes 40h 38m via I 80 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 9 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· Toledo, OH.