Moving from Stockton, CA to Modesto, CA
Moving from Stockton, CA to Modesto, CA is a 33 mi drive, about 43 min by car. This is a local relocation — same-day moves are typical — but cost-of-living, housing, and tax lines still shift enough to plan around. The sections below pull current figures from BEA, the Census Bureau, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA for a side-by-side look.
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
| Stockton | Modesto | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.089 | 104.108 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.247 | 152.259 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 115.614 | 108.476 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Modesto and Stockton is within ±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) — plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home values in Stockton and Modesto are within 5% of each other ($431,328 vs $446,494 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Stockton -3.7%, Modesto -0.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Stockton | Modesto |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64°F | 63°F |
| January avg low | 39°F | 39°F |
| July avg high | 95°F | 95°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | — |
| Annual precipitation | 17.3" | 12.3" |
Annual average temperatures in Stockton (63.9°F) and Modesto (63.1°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: STOCKTON FIRE STN 4, CA US, MODESTO CITY CO AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Stockton | Modesto |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 320,470 | 218,614 |
| Median household income | $76,851 | $77,899 |
| Median age | 33.7 | 35.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 13% | 13.8% |
| Avg household size | 3.26 | 3.02 |
Median household incomes in Stockton ($76,851) and Modesto ($77,899) are within a few percent (ACS 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 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 Modesto average 95°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 — 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
When is the best time to move from Stockton to Modesto?
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.
Is Modesto more expensive than Stockton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Modesto is 0.9% lower than Stockton (104.108 vs 105.089, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Modesto, CA from Stockton, 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 household income compare in Stockton vs Modesto?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $77,899 in Modesto vs $76,851 in Stockton — a 1.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Modesto compare to Stockton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,720 in the Modesto MSA vs $48,370 in the Stockton MSA, on total employment of 192,020 and 278,010 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Modesto compared to Stockton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $446,494 in Modesto vs $431,328 in Stockton — a 3.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Stockton.
City profiles: Stockton, CA · Modesto, CA.