Moving from Denton, TX to Los Angeles, CA
A move from Denton, TX to Los Angeles, CA covers 1406 mi and around 24h 34m of driving through 4 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
1406 mi Β· 24h 34m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 287, I 15 |
| Major cities en route | Torrance, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Santa Clarita, Inglewood |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Denton | Los Angeles | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP moves from 103.09 in Denton to 113.566 in Los Angeles, a 10.2% bump on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in Los Angeles: 10.2% above Denton on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Denton -4.4%, Los Angeles -1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Denton | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 64Β°F |
| January avg low | 34Β°F | 48Β°F |
| July avg high | 96Β°F | 78Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 38.4" | 14.1" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Los Angeles β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: DENTON 2 SE, TX US, CULVER CITY, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Denton | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 146,987 | 3,857,897 |
| Median household income | $73,719 | $80,366 |
| Median age | 31 | 36.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.9% | 24.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.72 |
Median household income in Los Angeles is 10.2% above Denton ($73,719 β $80,366, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Los Angeles MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
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
- Dry climate: Los Angeles sees only 14.1 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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 household income compare in Denton vs Los Angeles?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $80,366 in Los Angeles vs $73,719 in Denton β a 9.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Los Angeles compared to Denton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $952,183 in Los Angeles vs $354,135 in Denton β a 168.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Los Angeles, CA from Denton, TX?
The driving distance is 1406 mi and the route typically takes 24h 34m via I 40 and US 287. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Los Angeles compare to Denton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Los Angeles MSA vs $48,440 in the Denton MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Los Angeles more expensive than Denton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Los Angeles is 10.2% higher than Denton (113.566 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Denton to Los Angeles?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1406 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Denton.
City profiles: Denton, TX Β· Los Angeles, CA.