Moving from El Paso, TX to College Station, TX
Relocating 686 mi from El Paso to College Station is a 11h 49m drive through 1 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.
686 mi · 11h 49m by car · TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 180, US 290 |
| Major cities en route | Austin, Round Rock |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| El Paso | College Station | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.912 | 90.951 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.585 | 84.39 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.248 | 75.088 | 100.0 |
El Paso and College Station sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $234,775 in El Paso to $349,041 in College Station, a 1.2% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: El Paso +1.4%, College Station +0.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | El Paso | College Station |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 69°F |
| January avg low | 35°F | 41°F |
| July avg high | 96°F | 95°F |
| Annual snowfall | 2.8" | — |
| Annual precipitation | 8.8" | 41.8" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 66.2°F vs 69.4°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: EL PASO INTL AP, TX US, COLLEGE STN, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | El Paso | College Station |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 122,280 |
| Median household income | $58,734 | $51,776 |
| Median age | 34.1 | 22.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.3% | 29.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.8 | 2.74 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 1.2% lower in College Station than El Paso.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in College Station MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 16,920 | $37,150 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 14,880 | $27,430 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 14,280 | $63,400 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 10,460 | $76,630 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 9,930 | $31,090 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in College Station average 95°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.
Frequently asked
Is College Station more expensive than El Paso?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in College Station is 1.2% higher than El Paso (90.951 vs 89.912, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in El Paso vs College Station?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,776 in College Station vs $58,734 in El Paso — a 11.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is College Station, TX from El Paso, TX?
The driving distance is 686 mi and the route typically takes 11h 49m via I 10 and US 180. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from El Paso to College Station?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 686 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in College Station compared to El Paso?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $349,041 in College Station vs $234,775 in El Paso — a 48.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in College Station compare to El Paso?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $42,710 in the College Station MSA vs $36,000 in the El Paso MSA, on total employment of 128,840 and 323,310 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 El Paso.
City profiles: El Paso, TX · College Station, TX.