Moving from Oklahoma City, OK to Modesto, CA
It is 1546 mi and 26h 59m from Oklahoma City to Modesto β a cross-country move across 5 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.
1546 mi Β· 26h 59m by car Β· OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, CA 99, US 66 HIST |
| Major cities en route | Norman, Amarillo, Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Victorville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Oklahoma City | Modesto | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.408 | 104.108 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 74.067 | 152.259 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.778 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 73.885 | 108.476 | 100.0 |
Modesto runs about 15.2% more expensive overall than Oklahoma City β RPP 90.408 β 104.108.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $206,713 in Oklahoma City to $446,494 in Modesto, a 15.2% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Oklahoma City -0.3%, Modesto -0.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Oklahoma City | Modesto |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60Β°F | 63Β°F |
| January avg low | 27Β°F | 39Β°F |
| July avg high | 93Β°F | 95Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 6.7" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 36.4" | 12.3" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 60.1Β°F vs 63.1Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: OKLAHOMA CITY WILL ROGERS AP, OK US, MODESTO CITY CO AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Oklahoma City | Modesto |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 688,693 | 218,614 |
| Median household income | $66,702 | $77,899 |
| Median age | 35 | 35.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.5% | 13.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.5 | 3.02 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 15.2% higher in Modesto than Oklahoma City.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Modesto MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 22,970 | $45,490 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 20,080 | $47,540 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 19,760 | $34,710 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 15,890 | $36,840 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 14,170 | $65,580 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Oklahoma and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- 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 Modesto average 95Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Modesto sees only 12.3 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β 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.
- Register to vote in California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Oklahoma City vs Modesto?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $77,899 in Modesto vs $66,702 in Oklahoma City β a 16.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Modesto, CA from Oklahoma City, OK?
The driving distance is 1546 mi and the route typically takes 26h 59m via I 40 and CA 99. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Modesto compared to Oklahoma City?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $446,494 in Modesto vs $206,713 in Oklahoma City β a 116.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Modesto compare to Oklahoma City?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,720 in the Modesto MSA vs $44,030 in the Oklahoma City MSA, on total employment of 192,020 and 656,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Oklahoma City to Modesto?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1546 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Modesto more expensive than Oklahoma City?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Modesto is 15.2% higher than Oklahoma City (104.108 vs 90.408, 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 Oklahoma City.
City profiles: Oklahoma City, OK Β· Modesto, CA.