Firstly why Turlock, California?

I’ll start with some quick stats and an overview:

• City: Turlock
• State: California
• Population: 99,396 people
• Turlock’s quick summary would be Turlock residents have strolled Stanislaus State campus, visited the Hilmar Cheese factory, and battled the 99 traffic near Fulkerth.

Some people I know rave about this place, others say it’s on the upswing or going through changes. Check out these migration details:

• How many people move-in: 5,000 annually
• While this many move-out: 3,000 annually
• Net Migration: 2000 more people in (net) annual change
• Non-Citizen Move-in: 500
• Number of Homeless people: 200

You might wonder why people choose to move here, I’d say generally because it offers a mix of agriculture and community feel appealing to families

Perk #1: Turlock Demographic Mix & Lifestyle

• The percentage of Residents Age 30–50 is about 31%
• Percentage of Home Ownership is hovering around 60%
• Largest Local Ethnic Group is Hispanic
• The 2nd Largest Ethnic Group is mostly White
• The median income is (and growing)  $61,000
• Income Required to Live Comfortably in Turlock is $62,000
• Average Extra Spending Money after paying bills yearly is approx. $1000 in positive cash flow

This and any cities local population can be a real melting pot—or sometimes it’s more homogeneous, depending on the area. Ask yourself: would you enjoy a bustling community with diverse backgrounds, or do you prefer a quieter, tight-knit vibe?

Perk #2: Housing & Turlock’s Cost of Living

• Cost of Living Index: 115 (100 is the US average)
• Annual Property Tax Per House: $3,374
• Property Tax %: 1.2%
• Rent for an average 2BD Apartment: $1,000
• Rent for an average house: $1,800
• Popular and Expensive Neighborhood: Turlock
• Top 5 Growing Areas: Turlock, Modesto, Ceres, Oakdale, and probably could include Riverbank
• Avg. Age of Homes in Turlock: 38 years
• The Percentage of Realtors per 100 people here: 0.5%

If the cost-of-living index is low, you might find a place without selling your kidney. If it’s high, well, you’ll need to budget carefully. Some income earners thrive in pricey markets, others prefer less financially stressful areas.

Perk #3: Job Market & Turlock’s Economy

• 3 Industries gaining traction in Turlock are  Agriculture, Retail, and Education
• Turlock Job Scene: stable job market with agriculture and retail sectors
• The General Tech Scene: limited tech engagement, primarily agricultural sector focused innovations ,
• Turlock Resident’s pay $500 in City Tax alone!
• Local Sales Tax in Turlock: 8.5%
• No. of Independent Businesses: 30 (excluding chains and corporates)
• Number of Local Branch Banks: 5

Maybe you’re a go-getter in finance, tech, or healthcare. Or you’d rather open a mom-and-pop shop. Either way, it’s worth checking if the local industries align with your skill set—or if you’re game to try something new.

Perk #4: Transportation & Commuting in Turlock

• Monthly Transportation Costs: $130 on average per person
• Freeway Access: Highway 99 serves as the main artery for Turlock
• Commute Time: 22 minutes (public & private)
• Main Evening Traffic Area: traffic jams on Golden State Boulevard
• Transportation Score: 24 out of 100 described as Minimal Transit
• No. of Vehicles Registered in Turlock: 35,000
• Cars registered per Person: 0.4
• No. of Car Washes: 3 in and around the city
• DMV Website for Turlock: dmv.ca.gov
• The Bike-Friendly Score: 62 of 100
• Local Airport: Turlock Municipal

Is a 15-minute commute your dream, or is 45 minutes stuck on the freeway a dealbreaker? If you can handle traffic or love public transit, this might be perfect. If not, brace yourself with a killer podcast lineup.

Perk #5: Turlock’s Weather & Natural Factors

• The Most Common Natural Disaster is Flooding
• General Weather in Turlock is best described as experiences hot dry summers with temperatures above 100°F and mild winters with occasional rain
• Winter Weather in Turlock i’d describe as cool and dry
• Spring Weather in Turlock can be described as warm with occasional rain
• Summer’s in Turlock are mostly hot and dry
• Fall ( the nicest time) in Turlock is usually warm and sunny
• How many days in a row over 90°F: 34 days in summer
• Days in a row in Turlock below Freezing: 0
• Average Annual Rainfall: 12 inches
• Summer Air Quality is usually moderate air quality with potential agricultural impacts
• Turlock Winter Air acceptable air quality can vary seasonally

Do you live for sunny skies? Or maybe you can’t stand humidity. Some relish snowy winters; others run south at the first snowflake. And if hurricanes, tornadoes, or earthquakes are part of the package, put all that into your consideration matrix.

Perk #6: Turlock Education & Schools

• The GreatSchools.org City Rating:
• Number of Colleges and Universities in Turlock 1
• While the number of trade schools inside Turlocks’s city limits are 1
• Library that I have visited and enjoyed is the Turlock Public Library

If you’ve got kids—or you’re looking to further your own education—solid school ratings and local colleges can be a huge perk. If not, hey, a good library have more gems that you didn’t know existed, check it out.

Perk #7: Healthcare & Turlock Stats

• Typical EMS Response Time: 9 minutes
• Registered Full-Time Turlock only Doctors is about 40
• Local Hospitals here is  2
• Full-time Turlock only Police Officers is about 80
• Crime Rate Index: 30/100

Medical facilities could be important to you and who knows it could be related to the crime stats. Again some stats that are worth considering.

Perk #8: Utilities, Gyms & Water Quality

• Turlock’s Monthly utility bill average is $140
• Turlock’s Monthly Gym Membership: $45
• Turlock’s Water Quality Score: 65

Some of us freak out if water tastes off, others don’t mind. Gym buffs will appreciate a cheap membership; others prefer running outside for free. Check if these monthly costs fit inside your realistic lifestyle.

Perk #9: Events, Festivals & Vibe in Turlock

• Approx number of Festivals the city puts on is 5 annually
• The General Local City Vibe: agricultural city with a close-knit community feel
• You might enjoy concerts at local parks
• Nightlife Scene (yes this is completely subjective), Turlock  features local pubs and community-focused dining options providing a blend of social and relaxed evenings

If you love a lively social calendar—fairs, concerts, maybe the odd chili cook-off—this is your jam. If crowds make you itch, you might only show up for the funnel cakes.

Perk #10: The Food, Sports & Culture of Turlock

• The Objective Restaurant Scene Includes casual dining and family restaurants
• The Number of Independent Restaurants are 20 scattered around Turlock
• The Popular Sports Team is Turlock Bulldogs
• Top Level Political Climate in Turlock can be described as conservatively leaning with focus on local agricultural interests
• Turlock’s Longer standing religious establishment is First United Methodist Church Turlock

Whether you’re a foodie wanting fancy cuisine or a sports nut who can’t miss the local team’s home game, see if your interests line up with what the city offers.

Perk #11: Turlock Parks & Green Spaces

• Did you know Turlock has 15 Parks?
• Donnelly Park is Turlock’s Green Space Center
• The local favorite Farmers Market is Turlock Farmers Market normally open Saturday 8am-1pm
• Outdoor Activities that both weekend warriors are pro’s can enjoy are Hiking, cycling, and picnicking

Love fresh air? A city investing in parks and markets can be a sanity-saver. If you prefer the indoors, maybe it’s less of a draw—but I still say fresh produce is never a bad thing.

Perk #12: Turlock Neighborhoods Pace & Proximity

• The Pace of Life in Turlock can be described as small-town feel with a focus on agriculture and family
• 3 Family-Friendly Activities anyone can enjoy in Turlock hiking in parks local sports activities arts and crafts
• The Cities people commute to from Turlock are Modesto 15 miles away Ceres 22 miles away Merced 31 miles away

Neighborhood pace can range from laid-back suburbs to frantic downtown vibes. If you need a quick getaway, big neighboring cities can scratch that itch for a weekend change of scene.

8 Drawbacks about Turlock or are they?

No place is perfect. I rate these as important based on your location and type of work you do. They might not be negatives or positives for everyone.

1. Traffic/Commute Issues
   Maybe you read: traffic jams on Golden State Boulevard. If you hate gridlock, look at alternative routes or brace yourself with podcasts.
2. Natural Disaster or Extreme Weather
   Turlock’s Flooding risk could be minimal or major. Dig more on that is your eyebrow just went up.
3. Pricey Neighborhoods
   If Turlock is out of your price point, you might consider these places nearby Turlock are Modesto 15 miles away Ceres 22 miles away Merced 31 miles away.
4. Crime Rate Concerns
   With a 30 of 100, some neighborhoods might feel safer than others. Everyone has a different tolerance for this.
5. Harsh Climate Contrasts
   Turlock has 0 days in a row below freezing and 34 days above 90 degrees. This might be your heaven or your nightmare. Some people can’t stand snow, while others pray for it.
6. Limited Extra Funds
   After general costs of living here in Turlock people have an average (positive or negative) $1000 in positive cash flow left over in income to spend or pay off. Economics will make or break you here.
7. Homelessness or Social Challenges
   200 homeless people living in Turlock. It can be tough for the community—no easy solutions.
8. Cultural/Political Mismatch
   The general conservatively leaning with focus on local agricultural interests could change but probably not quickly. We all go thru cycles in our lifestyle and outlook. Think about this and your future outlook before a move to Turlock.

Retiree & Senior Life in Turlock

• Retiree Tax Benefits say seniors can can receive income tax reductions based on retirement benefits
• The most established Senior Citizen Community is Covenant Care
• Turlock Senior Center hosts fitness classes meal services and social gatherings for older adults

If you’re in (or nearing) retirement, see if the city provides property tax breaks or comfy 55+ communities. Some places cater heavily to seniors, others less so.

Moving to Turlock, California?

If Turlock, California ir your next home or you are packing up, Let Allied Van Lines Help

As someone who’s hauled half his life across state lines more times than I can recall, let me say that Allied Van Lines simplifies the process. From big bulky couches to fragile antiques, they’ve got you covered.

A quick quote or phone call might be all you need to turn your daydream into reality. If you see me around Turlock, California, say hi—I’m the guy who once moved with nothing but a backpack and a guitar. Good luck on your new adventure!