Moving from Richmond, CA to Modesto, CA
It is a 93 mi drive, roughly 1h 53m, between Richmond, CA and Modesto, CA. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
93 mi Β· 1h 53m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 580, CA 99, I 205 |
| Major cities en route | Stockton, Antioch, San Jose, Fremont, Santa Clara |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Richmond | Modesto | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 104.108 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 152.259 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 108.476 | 100.0 |
Expect about 10.0% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Modesto at 104.108 vs Richmond at 115.613.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 10.0% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $606,427 to $446,494 moving to Modesto.
YoY change: Richmond -5.4%, Modesto -0.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Richmond | Modesto |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 63Β°F |
| January avg low | 44Β°F | 39Β°F |
| July avg high | 71Β°F | 95Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 24.4" | 12.3" |
Annual average temperatures in Richmond (58.8Β°F) and Modesto (63.1Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RICHMOND, CA US, MODESTO CITY CO AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Richmond | Modesto |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,396 | 218,614 |
| Median household income | $90,038 | $77,899 |
| Median age | 37.6 | 35.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.2% | 13.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.85 | 3.02 |
Households in Modesto earn about 10.0% less at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
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.
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.
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.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Modesto compare to Richmond?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,720 in the Modesto MSA vs $72,050 in the Richmond MSA, on total employment of 192,020 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Modesto more expensive than Richmond?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Modesto is 10.0% lower than Richmond (104.108 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Modesto compared to Richmond?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $446,494 in Modesto vs $606,427 in Richmond β a 26.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Richmond vs Modesto?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $77,899 in Modesto vs $90,038 in Richmond β a 13.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Richmond to Modesto?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 93 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Modesto, CA from Richmond, CA?
The driving distance is 93 mi and the route typically takes 1h 53m via I 580 and CA 99. The trip crosses 1 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 Richmond.
City profiles: Richmond, CA Β· Modesto, CA.