Moving from College Station, TX to Santa Clarita, CA
Moving from College Station, TX to Santa Clarita, CA is a 1516 mi cross-country relocation β about 26h 25m of driving through 4 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
1516 mi Β· 26h 25m 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 | Lancaster, Palmdale, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Los Angeles |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| College Station | Santa Clarita | 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 |
You are looking at a 24.9% pricier overall price level β 90.951 β 113.566 on the latest BEA Regional Price Parities.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Santa Clarita typical home at $802,016 is 24.9% above College Station at $349,041 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: College Station +0.5%, Santa Clarita -2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | College Station | Santa Clarita |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 69Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 41Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 95Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 41.8" | 16.8" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 69.4Β°F vs 65.5Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Santa Clarita sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: COLLEGE STN, TX US, NEWHALL 5NW, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | College Station | Santa Clarita |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,280 | 229,021 |
| Median household income | $51,776 | $119,926 |
| Median age | 22.9 | 38.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.5% | 26.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.74 | 3.04 |
Median household income in Santa Clarita is 24.9% above College Station ($51,776 vs $119,926, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Santa Clarita 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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Santa Clarita average 94Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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 Clarita compare to College Station?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Santa Clarita 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.
Is Santa Clarita more expensive than College Station?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Santa Clarita 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 far is Santa Clarita, CA from College Station, TX?
The driving distance is 1516 mi and the route typically takes 26h 25m via I 10 and US 180. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in College Station vs Santa Clarita?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $119,926 in Santa Clarita vs $51,776 in College Station β a 131.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Santa Clarita compared to College Station?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $802,016 in Santa Clarita vs $349,041 in College Station β a 129.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from College Station to Santa Clarita?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1516 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β 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 College Station.
City profiles: College Station, TX Β· Santa Clarita, CA.