Moving from Bakersfield, CA to Brownsville, TX
It is 1737 mi and 29h 56m from Bakersfield to Brownsville β a cross-country move across 4 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
1737 mi Β· 29h 56m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 180, US 77 |
| Major cities en route | Santa Clarita, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Lancaster, Los Angeles |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Bakersfield | Brownsville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.886 | 85.975 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.257 | 81.15 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 90.291 | 57.72 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 14.8% moving from Bakersfield to Brownsville 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 $396,047 in Bakersfield to $195,993 in Brownsville, a 14.8% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Bakersfield -0.3%, Brownsville +2.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Bakersfield | Brownsville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 74Β°F |
| January avg low | 39Β°F | 51Β°F |
| July avg high | 97Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 6.7" | β |
Expect 9.3Β°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: BAKERSFIELD 5 NW, CA US, WFO BROWNSVILLE, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Bakersfield | Brownsville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 188,023 |
| Median household income | $77,397 | $48,675 |
| Median age | 31.9 | 30.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.1% | 15.8% |
| Avg household size | 3.2 | 3.21 |
Expect median household income to fall 14.8% β $77,397 β $48,675 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Brownsville MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 23,130 | $22,740 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | 19,670 | $22,260 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 19,400 | $34,840 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 15,770 | $22,990 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 12,620 | $55,410 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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 Brownsville average 92Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Brownsville compare to Bakersfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $33,540 in the Brownsville MSA vs $44,960 in the Bakersfield MSA, on total employment of 154,580 and 330,270 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Brownsville more expensive than Bakersfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Brownsville is 14.8% lower than Bakersfield (85.975 vs 100.886, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Bakersfield to Brownsville?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1737 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 Brownsville compared to Bakersfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $195,993 in Brownsville vs $396,047 in Bakersfield β a 50.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Brownsville, TX from Bakersfield, CA?
The driving distance is 1737 mi and the route typically takes 29h 56m via I 10 and US 180. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Bakersfield vs Brownsville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,675 in Brownsville vs $77,397 in Bakersfield β a 37.1% 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 Bakersfield.
City profiles: Bakersfield, CA Β· Brownsville, TX.