Moving from Costa Mesa, CA to Killeen, TX
It is 1377 mi between Costa Mesa and Killeen β roughly 24h 2m 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.
1377 mi Β· 24h 2m 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 190, US 95 |
| Major cities en route | El Paso, Las Cruces, Tucson, Chandler, Gilbert |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Costa Mesa | Killeen | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 91.132 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 81.242 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 77.884 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 19.8% cheaper overall in Killeen than Costa Mesa on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
19.8% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Costa Mesa +3.1%, Killeen -1.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Costa Mesa | Killeen |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 49Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 79Β°F | 96Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.2" | 34.8" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Killeen β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SANTA ANA JOHN WAYNE AP, CA US, KILLEEN, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Costa Mesa | Killeen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 110,538 | 156,144 |
| Median household income | $110,073 | $58,339 |
| Median age | 36.5 | 30 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30.9% | 16.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 2.61 |
Killeen households earn about 19.8% less than Costa Mesa at the median β $110,073 β $58,339 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Killeen MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 16,840 | $37,540 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 15,620 | $26,660 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 14,700 | $81,360 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 13,820 | $37,760 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 12,710 | $59,740 |
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 Killeen 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 Killeen compared to Costa Mesa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $219,957 in Killeen vs $1,413,322 in Costa Mesa β a 84.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Costa Mesa to Killeen?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1377 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Killeen more expensive than Costa Mesa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Killeen is 19.8% lower than Costa Mesa (91.132 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Killeen compare to Costa Mesa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $42,230 in the Killeen MSA vs $50,490 in the Costa Mesa MSA, on total employment of 147,020 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Costa Mesa vs Killeen?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,339 in Killeen vs $110,073 in Costa Mesa β a 47.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Killeen, TX from Costa Mesa, CA?
The driving distance is 1377 mi and the route typically takes 24h 2m via I 10 and US 190. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
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· Killeen, TX.