Moving from College Station, TX to El Paso, TX
Relocating 686 mi from College Station to El Paso is a 11h 49m drive through 1 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
686 mi · 11h 49m by car · TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 180, US 290 |
| Major cities en route | Austin, Round Rock |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| College Station | El Paso | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.951 | 89.912 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.39 | 82.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 75.088 | 71.248 | 100.0 |
College Station and El Paso sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $349,041 in College Station to $234,775 in El Paso, a 1.1% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: College Station +0.5%, El Paso +1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | College Station | El Paso |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 69°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 41°F | 35°F |
| July avg high | 95°F | 96°F |
| Annual snowfall | — | 2.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 41.8" | 8.8" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 69.4°F vs 66.2°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Expect 2.8 in of snow annually at the destination — manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: COLLEGE STN, TX US, EL PASO INTL AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | College Station | El Paso |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,280 | 678,147 |
| Median household income | $51,776 | $58,734 |
| Median age | 22.9 | 34.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.5% | 18.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.74 | 2.8 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 1.1% higher in El Paso than College Station.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in El Paso MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 44,500 | $35,550 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 34,790 | $23,150 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 32,160 | $33,850 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 31,050 | $28,800 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 23,040 | $61,670 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in El Paso average 96°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: El Paso sees only 8.8 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in College Station vs El Paso?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,734 in El Paso vs $51,776 in College Station — a 13.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is El Paso, TX from College Station, TX?
The driving distance is 686 mi and the route typically takes 11h 49m via I 10 and US 180. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from College Station to El Paso?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 686 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is El Paso more expensive than College Station?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in El Paso is 1.1% lower than College Station (89.912 vs 90.951, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in El Paso compare to College Station?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $36,000 in the El Paso MSA vs $42,710 in the College Station MSA, on total employment of 323,310 and 128,840 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in El Paso compared to College Station?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $234,775 in El Paso vs $349,041 in College Station — a 32.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from College Station.
City profiles: College Station, TX · El Paso, TX.