Moving from Beaumont, TX to Berkeley, CA
Cross-country relocations like Beaumont, TX → Berkeley, CA cover 2004 mi and about 34h 52m of driving through 4 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
2004 mi · 34h 52m by car · CA → AZ → NM → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → AZ → NM → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 5, US 180 |
| Major cities en route | Vallejo, Richmond, Oakland, Concord, Hayward |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Beaumont | Berkeley | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.046 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.098 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 70.939 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Major COL jump: 28.4% higher overall in Berkeley vs Beaumont on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in Berkeley: 28.4% above Beaumont on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Beaumont +1.4%, Berkeley -1.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Beaumont | Berkeley |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 70°F | 59°F |
| January avg low | 43°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 74°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 65.1" | 26.1" |
Climate cools by 11.0°F on the annual average — 69.5°F → 58.5°F.
Effectively snow-free year in Berkeley — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: BEAUMONT CITY, TX US, BERKELEY, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Beaumont | Berkeley |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 113,710 | 120,223 |
| Median household income | $57,530 | $108,558 |
| Median age | 35.3 | 32.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.3% | 33.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.53 | 2.57 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 28.4% between Beaumont and Berkeley (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Berkeley MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 244,380 | $59,630 |
| Management Occupations | 237,070 | $171,350 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 211,250 | $104,950 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 194,040 | $39,200 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 183,930 | $49,390 |
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 — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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.
- 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
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (11.0°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- 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.
- Register to vote in California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Berkeley more expensive than Beaumont?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Berkeley is 28.4% higher than Beaumont (115.613 vs 90.046, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Berkeley, CA from Beaumont, TX?
The driving distance is 2004 mi and the route typically takes 34h 52m via I 10 and I 5. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Berkeley compare to Beaumont?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Berkeley MSA vs $45,300 in the Beaumont MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 155,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Berkeley compared to Beaumont?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,443,684 in Berkeley vs $166,671 in Beaumont — a 766.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Beaumont vs Berkeley?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $108,558 in Berkeley vs $57,530 in Beaumont — a 88.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Beaumont and Berkeley?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 58.5°F in Berkeley vs 69.5°F in Beaumont (11.0°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.1 in. Annual precipitation: 26.1 in vs 65.1 in.
When is the best time to move from Beaumont to Berkeley?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2004 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Beaumont.
City profiles: Beaumont, TX · Berkeley, CA.