Moving from El Cajon, CA to Carrollton, TX
It is 1349 mi between El Cajon and Carrollton β roughly 23h 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.
1349 mi Β· 23h 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, I 20, I 8 |
| Major cities en route | Plano, Garland, Frisco, Mckinney, Denton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| El Cajon | Carrollton | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.887 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 174.247 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.963 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 179.267 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Expect about 7.9% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Carrollton at 103.09 vs El Cajon at 111.887.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 7.9% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $816,317 to $406,040 moving to Carrollton.
YoY change: El Cajon -2.1%, Carrollton -4.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | El Cajon | Carrollton |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 43Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 86Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 11.6" | 41.9" |
Annual average temperatures in El Cajon (65.1Β°F) and Carrollton (65.8Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: EL CAJON, CA US, RICHARDSON, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | El Cajon | Carrollton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 104,909 | 132,741 |
| Median household income | $66,478 | $99,115 |
| Median age | 35.5 | 38.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.3% | 29.1% |
| Avg household size | 3.09 | 2.6 |
Carrollton households earn about 7.9% more than El Cajon at the median β $66,478 β $99,115 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Carrollton 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 Carrollton average 94Β°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 Carrollton compared to El Cajon?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $406,040 in Carrollton vs $816,317 in El Cajon β a 50.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Carrollton, TX from El Cajon, CA?
The driving distance is 1349 mi and the route typically takes 23h 2m via I 10 and I 20. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Carrollton compare to El Cajon?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Carrollton MSA vs $53,090 in the El Cajon MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 1,522,620 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in El Cajon vs Carrollton?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $99,115 in Carrollton vs $66,478 in El Cajon β a 49.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from El Cajon to Carrollton?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1349 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Carrollton more expensive than El Cajon?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Carrollton is 7.9% lower than El Cajon (103.09 vs 111.887, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from El Cajon.
City profiles: El Cajon, CA Β· Carrollton, TX.