Moving from Costa Mesa, CA to Denton, TX
It is 1398 mi between Costa Mesa and Denton β roughly 24h 25m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1398 mi Β· 24h 25m by car Β· TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 287, I 15 |
| Major cities en route | Plano, Irving, Frisco, Mckinney, Carrollton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Costa Mesa | Denton | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Expect about 9.2% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Denton at 103.09 vs Costa Mesa at 113.566.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 9.2% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $1,413,322 to $354,135 moving to Denton.
YoY change: Costa Mesa +3.1%, Denton -4.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Costa Mesa | Denton |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 49Β°F | 34Β°F |
| July avg high | 79Β°F | 96Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 11.2" | 38.4" |
Annual average temperatures in Costa Mesa (64.9Β°F) and Denton (65.4Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SANTA ANA JOHN WAYNE AP, CA US, DENTON 2 SE, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Costa Mesa | Denton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 110,538 | 146,987 |
| Median household income | $110,073 | $73,719 |
| Median age | 36.5 | 31 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30.9% | 25.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 2.72 |
Denton households earn about 9.2% less than Costa Mesa at the median β $110,073 β $73,719 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Denton MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 523,660 | $44,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 412,270 | $39,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 368,400 | $36,710 |
| Management Occupations | 350,940 | $117,410 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 341,240 | $29,000 |
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 Denton average 96Β°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
How much do homes cost in Denton compared to Costa Mesa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $354,135 in Denton vs $1,413,322 in Costa Mesa β a 74.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Denton, TX from Costa Mesa, CA?
The driving distance is 1398 mi and the route typically takes 24h 25m via I 40 and US 287. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Costa Mesa to Denton?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1398 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Denton more expensive than Costa Mesa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Denton is 9.2% lower than Costa Mesa (103.09 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Costa Mesa vs Denton?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $73,719 in Denton vs $110,073 in Costa Mesa β a 33.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Denton compare to Costa Mesa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Denton MSA vs $50,490 in the Costa Mesa MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
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· Denton, TX.