Moving from Bakersfield, CA to Laredo, TX
A 1513 mi cross-country move between Bakersfield and Laredo is 26h 51m 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.
1513 mi Β· 26h 51m 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 90 |
| Major cities en route | Lancaster, Santa Clarita, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Palmdale |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Bakersfield | Laredo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.886 | 86.956 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.257 | 80.614 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 90.291 | 59.746 | 100.0 |
Expect about 13.8% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Laredo at 86.956 vs Bakersfield at 100.886.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 13.8% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $396,047 to $220,331 moving to Laredo.
YoY change: Bakersfield -0.3%, Laredo +2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Bakersfield | Laredo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 75Β°F |
| January avg low | 39Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 97Β°F | 100Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 6.7" | 19.7" |
Annual temperature rises 9.9Β°F moving to Laredo per NOAA normals.
Laredo 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: BAKERSFIELD 5 NW, CA US, LAREDO 2, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Bakersfield | Laredo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 255,949 |
| Median household income | $77,397 | $63,264 |
| Median age | 31.9 | 29.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.1% | 15.1% |
| Avg household size | 3.2 | 3.36 |
Households in Laredo earn about 13.8% less at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Laredo MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 15,810 | $34,040 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 15,300 | $35,870 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 10,740 | $23,180 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 9,360 | $28,410 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 9,330 | $22,560 |
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 Laredo average 100Β°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 far is Laredo, TX from Bakersfield, CA?
The driving distance is 1513 mi and the route typically takes 26h 51m 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 Laredo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,264 in Laredo vs $77,397 in Bakersfield β a 18.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Bakersfield to Laredo?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1513 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 Laredo compared to Bakersfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $220,331 in Laredo vs $396,047 in Bakersfield β a 44.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Laredo compare to Bakersfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $35,220 in the Laredo MSA vs $44,960 in the Bakersfield MSA, on total employment of 104,610 and 330,270 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Laredo more expensive than Bakersfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Laredo is 13.8% lower than Bakersfield (86.956 vs 100.886, 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 Bakersfield.
City profiles: Bakersfield, CA Β· Laredo, TX.