Moving from Allen, TX to Sacramento, CA
A 1728 mi cross-country move between Allen and Sacramento is 30h 32m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 4 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1728 mi Β· 30h 32m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 287, CA 99 |
| Major cities en route | Roseville, Elk Grove, Stockton, Modesto, Fresno |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Allen | Sacramento | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 106.67 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 151.29 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 130.23 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable β 103.09 vs 106.67 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
No meaningful housing gap at the typical-home level: ZHVI $493,532 vs $479,766.
YoY change: Allen -6.4%, Sacramento -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Allen | Sacramento |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 63Β°F |
| January avg low | 34Β°F | 41Β°F |
| July avg high | 95Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 38.3" | 19.2" |
Annual average temperatures in Allen (65.0Β°F) and Sacramento (63.4Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Sacramento gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MCKINNEY MUNI AP, TX US, SACRAMENTO 5 ESE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Allen | Sacramento |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,684 | 524,802 |
| Median household income | $129,130 | $83,753 |
| Median age | 38.5 | 35.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33.6% | 22.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.97 | 2.63 |
Sacramento households earn about 3.5% less than Allen at the median β $129,130 β $83,753 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Sacramento MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 127,580 | $49,240 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 92,040 | $35,560 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 79,450 | $43,790 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 78,260 | $38,490 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 71,860 | $81,700 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas 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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Sacramento average 94Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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 much do homes cost in Sacramento compared to Allen?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $479,766 in Sacramento vs $493,532 in Allen β a 2.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Sacramento, CA from Allen, TX?
The driving distance is 1728 mi and the route typically takes 30h 32m via I 40 and US 287. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Allen to Sacramento?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1728 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Allen vs Sacramento?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $83,753 in Sacramento vs $129,130 in Allen β a 35.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Sacramento compare to Allen?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $55,290 in the Sacramento MSA vs $48,440 in the Allen MSA, on total employment of 1,048,170 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Sacramento more expensive than Allen?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Sacramento is 3.5% higher than Allen (106.67 vs 103.09, 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 Allen.
City profiles: Allen, TX Β· Sacramento, CA.