Moving from Costa Mesa, CA to Austin, TX
Relocating 1367 mi from Costa Mesa to Austin is a 23h 40m drive through 4 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1367 mi Β· 23h 40m by car Β· TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 290, US 95 |
| Major cities en route | Round Rock, El Paso, Las Cruces, Tucson, Chandler |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Costa Mesa | Austin | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 98.066 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 82.044 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 120.361 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 13.6% cheaper overall in Austin than Costa Mesa on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
13.6% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Costa Mesa +3.1%, Austin -5.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Costa Mesa | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 70Β°F |
| January avg low | 49Β°F | 42Β°F |
| July avg high | 79Β°F | 97Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.2" | 36.3" |
Expect 5.1Β°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Effectively snow-free year in Austin β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SANTA ANA JOHN WAYNE AP, CA US, AUSTIN-CAMP MABRY, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Costa Mesa | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 110,538 | 967,862 |
| Median household income | $110,073 | $91,461 |
| Median age | 36.5 | 34.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30.9% | 36.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 2.2 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 13.6% lower in Austin than Costa Mesa.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Austin MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 160,480 | $44,250 |
| Management Occupations | 121,080 | $120,430 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 115,170 | $38,390 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 115,080 | $30,040 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 99,680 | $77,510 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Austin average 97Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Austin more expensive than Costa Mesa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Austin is 13.6% lower than Costa Mesa (98.066 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Costa Mesa to Austin?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1367 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 Costa Mesa vs Austin?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $91,461 in Austin vs $110,073 in Costa Mesa β a 16.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Austin compare to Costa Mesa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,070 in the Austin MSA vs $50,490 in the Costa Mesa MSA, on total employment of 1,235,440 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Austin, TX from Costa Mesa, CA?
The driving distance is 1367 mi and the route typically takes 23h 40m via I 10 and US 290. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Austin compared to Costa Mesa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $508,530 in Austin vs $1,413,322 in Costa Mesa β a 64.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Costa Mesa.
City profiles: Costa Mesa, CA Β· Austin, TX.