Moving from College Station, TX to Los Angeles, CA
The drive from College Station, TX to Los Angeles, CA runs 1497 mi β about 26h 2m 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.
1497 mi Β· 26h 2m 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 | Santa Clarita, Torrance, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Inglewood |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| College Station | Los Angeles | 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 Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles: 24.9% above College Station on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: College Station +0.5%, Los Angeles -1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | College Station | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 69Β°F | 64Β°F |
| January avg low | 41Β°F | 48Β°F |
| July avg high | 95Β°F | 78Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 41.8" | 14.1" |
Climate cools by 5.6Β°F on the annual average β 69.4Β°F β 63.8Β°F.
Effectively snow-free year in Los Angeles β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: COLLEGE STN, TX US, CULVER CITY, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | College Station | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,280 | 3,857,897 |
| Median household income | $51,776 | $80,366 |
| Median age | 22.9 | 36.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.5% | 24.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.74 | 2.72 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 24.9% between College Station and Los Angeles (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Los Angeles 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: Los Angeles sees only 14.1 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
Is Los Angeles more expensive than College Station?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Los Angeles 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.
How does the job market in Los Angeles compare to College Station?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Los Angeles 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.
How far is Los Angeles, CA from College Station, TX?
The driving distance is 1497 mi and the route typically takes 26h 2m 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 Los Angeles compared to College Station?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $952,183 in Los Angeles vs $349,041 in College Station β a 172.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from College Station to Los Angeles?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1497 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 Los Angeles?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $80,366 in Los Angeles vs $51,776 in College Station β a 55.2% higher 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 College Station.
City profiles: College Station, TX Β· Los Angeles, CA.