Moving from Seattle, WA to Modesto, CA
Relocating 829 mi from Seattle to Modesto is a 16h 1m drive through 3 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
829 mi Β· 16h 1m by car Β· WA β OR β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | WA β OR β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, CA 99, I 80 BUSINESS |
| Major cities en route | Everett, Bellevue, Kent, Renton, Tacoma |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Seattle | Modesto | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 104.108 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 152.259 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 108.476 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 6.3% moving from Seattle to Modesto β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $868,680 in Seattle to $446,494 in Modesto, a 6.3% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Seattle -2.3%, Modesto -0.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Seattle | Modesto |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 63Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 39Β°F |
| July avg high | 77Β°F | 95Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.8" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 37.8" | 12.3" |
Expect 9.9Β°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SEATTLE SAND PT WSFO, WA US, MODESTO CITY CO AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Seattle | Modesto |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 741,440 | 218,614 |
| Median household income | $121,984 | $77,899 |
| Median age | 35.5 | 35.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37.6% | 13.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.1 | 3.02 |
Expect median household income to fall 6.3% β $121,984 β $77,899 per ACS 5-year estimates (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.
Moving between Washington 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
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during 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
- 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 the job market in Modesto compare to Seattle?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,720 in the Modesto MSA vs $65,260 in the Seattle MSA, on total employment of 192,020 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Modesto, CA from Seattle, WA?
The driving distance is 829 mi and the route typically takes 16h 1m via I 5 and CA 99. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Seattle to Modesto?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 829 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Modesto compared to Seattle?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $446,494 in Modesto vs $868,680 in Seattle β a 48.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Modesto more expensive than Seattle?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Modesto is 6.3% lower than Seattle (104.108 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Seattle vs Modesto?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $77,899 in Modesto vs $121,984 in Seattle β a 36.1% lower 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 Seattle.
City profiles: Seattle, WA Β· Modesto, CA.