Moving from Costa Mesa, CA to Round Rock, TX
Relocating 1387 mi from Costa Mesa to Round Rock is a 24h 5m drive through 4 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1387 mi · 24h 5m by car · TX → NM → AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → NM → AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 290, US 95 |
| Major cities en route | Austin, El Paso, Las Cruces, Tucson, Mesa |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Costa Mesa | Round Rock | 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 |
Overall cost of living drops 13.6% moving from Costa Mesa to Round Rock — meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $1,413,322 in Costa Mesa to $407,077 in Round Rock, a 13.6% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Costa Mesa +3.1%, Round Rock -5.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
Climate normals not available (no NOAA station within range for one city).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Costa Mesa | Round Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 110,538 | 124,288 |
| Median household income | $110,073 | $97,187 |
| Median age | 36.5 | 36.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30.9% | 28.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 2.66 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 13.6% lower in Round Rock than Costa Mesa.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Round Rock 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 — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% 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
- 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 does the job market in Round Rock compare to Costa Mesa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,070 in the Round Rock 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 Round Rock, TX from Costa Mesa, CA?
The driving distance is 1387 mi and the route typically takes 24h 5m via I 10 and US 290. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Round Rock more expensive than Costa Mesa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Round Rock 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 Round Rock?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1387 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Round Rock compared to Costa Mesa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $407,077 in Round Rock vs $1,413,322 in Costa Mesa — a 71.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Costa Mesa vs Round Rock?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $97,187 in Round Rock vs $110,073 in Costa Mesa — a 11.7% lower 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 Costa Mesa.
City profiles: Costa Mesa, CA · Round Rock, TX.