Moving from College Station, TX to Santa Clara, CA
A 1829 mi cross-country move between College Station and Santa Clara is 32h 13m 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.
1829 mi Β· 32h 13m 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, I 5 |
| Major cities en route | Fremont, Hayward, Sunnyvale, San Mateo, San Jose |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| College Station | Santa Clara | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.951 | 110.423 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.39 | 156.659 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 75.088 | 211.901 | 100.0 |
Santa Clara is 21.4% more expensive than College Station on the BEA RPP β expect rent and services to carry most of that gap.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $349,041 in College Station to $1,782,192 in Santa Clara, a 21.4% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: College Station +0.5%, Santa Clara -1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | College Station | Santa Clara |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 69Β°F | 61Β°F |
| January avg low | 41Β°F | 42Β°F |
| July avg high | 95Β°F | 81Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 41.8" | 13.5" |
Annual temperature drops 8.7Β°F moving to Santa Clara per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: COLLEGE STN, TX US, SAN JOSE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | College Station | Santa Clara |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,280 | 129,239 |
| Median household income | $51,776 | $173,670 |
| Median age | 22.9 | 34.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.5% | 31.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.74 | 2.66 |
Santa Clara households earn about 21.4% more than College Station at the median β $51,776 β $173,670 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Santa Clara MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Computer and Mathematical Occupations | 161,790 | $175,110 |
| Management Occupations | 119,300 | $206,650 |
| Software Developers | 96,590 | $199,100 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 93,740 | $59,850 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 90,500 | $120,970 |
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: Santa Clara sees only 13.5 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 does the job market in Santa Clara compare to College Station?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $81,470 in the Santa Clara MSA vs $42,710 in the College Station MSA, on total employment of 1,141,820 and 128,840 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in College Station vs Santa Clara?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $173,670 in Santa Clara vs $51,776 in College Station β a 235.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Santa Clara more expensive than College Station?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Santa Clara is 21.4% higher than College Station (110.423 vs 90.951, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Santa Clara, CA from College Station, TX?
The driving distance is 1829 mi and the route typically takes 32h 13m via I 10 and US 180. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from College Station to Santa Clara?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1829 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 Santa Clara compared to College Station?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,782,192 in Santa Clara vs $349,041 in College Station β a 410.6% higher 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 Β· Santa Clara, CA.