Moving from College Station, TX to Long Beach, CA
The drive from College Station, TX to Long Beach, CA runs 1487 mi β about 25h 56m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
1487 mi Β· 25h 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 290 |
| Major cities en route | Los Angeles, Glendale, Torrance, Inglewood, Burbank |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| College Station | Long Beach | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.951 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.39 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 75.088 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Major COL jump: 24.9% higher overall in Long Beach vs College Station on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in Long Beach: 24.9% above College Station on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: College Station +0.5%, Long Beach +0.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | College Station | Long Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 69Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 41Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 95Β°F | 81Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 41.8" | 12.0" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: COLLEGE STN, TX US, LONG BEACH DAUGHERTY FLD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | College Station | Long Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,280 | 458,491 |
| Median household income | $51,776 | $83,969 |
| Median age | 22.9 | 36.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.5% | 22.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.74 | 2.68 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 24.9% between College Station and Long Beach (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Long Beach MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
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
- Dry climate: Long Beach sees only 12.0 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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 far is Long Beach, CA from College Station, TX?
The driving distance is 1487 mi and the route typically takes 25h 56m via I 10 and US 180. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Long Beach compared to College Station?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $857,861 in Long Beach vs $349,041 in College Station β a 145.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Long Beach compare to College Station?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Long Beach MSA vs $42,710 in the College Station MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 128,840 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from College Station to Long Beach?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1487 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 College Station vs Long Beach?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $83,969 in Long Beach vs $51,776 in College Station β a 62.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Long Beach more expensive than College Station?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Long Beach is 24.9% higher than College Station (113.566 vs 90.951, 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 College Station.
City profiles: College Station, TX Β· Long Beach, CA.