Moving from College Station, TX to Vallejo, CA
A 1867 mi cross-country move between College Station and Vallejo is 32h 51m 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.
1867 mi Β· 32h 51m 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, I 5, US 180 |
| Major cities en route | Richmond, Fairfield, Concord, Antioch, Oakland |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| College Station | Vallejo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.951 | 108.479 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.39 | 154.993 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 75.088 | 142.042 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 19.3% higher cost of living β rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 19.3% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $349,041 to $520,970 moving to Vallejo.
YoY change: College Station +0.5%, Vallejo -5.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | College Station | Vallejo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 69Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 41Β°F | 42Β°F |
| July avg high | 95Β°F | 85Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 41.8" | 21.5" |
Annual temperature drops 7.8Β°F moving to Vallejo per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: COLLEGE STN, TX US, VALLEJO, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | College Station | Vallejo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,280 | 124,637 |
| Median household income | $51,776 | $89,496 |
| Median age | 22.9 | 40 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.5% | 19.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.74 | 2.84 |
Vallejo households earn about 19.3% more than College Station at the median β $51,776 β $89,496 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Vallejo MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 14,510 | $51,200 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 13,960 | $36,120 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 12,440 | $43,450 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 12,220 | $37,910 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 10,450 | $34,840 |
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
- 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 Vallejo compare to College Station?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $53,520 in the Vallejo MSA vs $42,710 in the College Station MSA, on total employment of 137,640 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 Vallejo?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1867 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Vallejo, CA from College Station, TX?
The driving distance is 1867 mi and the route typically takes 32h 51m via I 10 and I 5. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Vallejo more expensive than College Station?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Vallejo is 19.3% higher than College Station (108.479 vs 90.951, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Vallejo compared to College Station?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $520,970 in Vallejo vs $349,041 in College Station β a 49.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in College Station vs Vallejo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $89,496 in Vallejo vs $51,776 in College Station β a 72.9% 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· Vallejo, CA.