Moving from Evansville, IN to Los Angeles, CA

Cross-country relocations like Evansville, IN β†’ Los Angeles, CA cover 2006 mi and about 35h 9m of driving through 8 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.

2006 mi Β· 35h 9m by car Β· CA β†’ AZ β†’ NM β†’ TX β†’ OK β†’ MO β†’ IL β†’ IN

COL +24.1% Home values +378.5% Ξ” +4.7Β°F annual

Distance & route

Driving
2006 mi
Drive time
35h 9m
States
8
Fuel (25 mpg)
80 gal
Route throughCA β†’ AZ β†’ NM β†’ TX β†’ OK β†’ MO β†’ IL β†’ IN
Primary highwaysI 40, I 44, I 64
Major cities en routeSanta Clarita, Torrance, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Inglewood

Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.

Cost of living

EvansvilleLos AngelesU.S. avg
All items (RPP)91.528113.566100.0
Rents86.717158.589100.0
Goods94.318106.623100.0
Services66.735170.433100.0

Overall price level in Los Angeles runs 24.1% higher than Evansville β€” a substantial step-up on the BEA Regional Price Parity (91.528 β†’ 113.566, 2024).

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.

Housing prices

Evansville β€” typical home
$198,977
Los Angeles β€” typical home
$952,183
Evansville β€” typical rent
$1,024/mo
Los Angeles β€” typical rent
$2,753/mo

Typical home value in Los Angeles is 24.1% above Evansville β€” $198,977 vs $952,183 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.

YoY change: Evansville +3.7%, Los Angeles -1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.

Climate

1991–2020 normalsEvansvilleLos Angeles
Annual avg temperature59Β°F64Β°F
January avg low27Β°F48Β°F
July avg high89Β°F78Β°F
Annual snowfallβ€”0.0"
Annual precipitation47.8"14.1"

Annual average temperatures in Evansville (59.1Β°F) and Los Angeles (63.8Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).

Los Angeles gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals β€” winter gear can largely stay in storage.

Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: EVANSVILLE MUSEUM, IN US, CULVER CITY, CA US).

Demographics

ACS 5-year 2023EvansvilleLos Angeles
Population116,4413,857,897
Median household income$52,251$80,366
Median age38.136.9
Bachelor's degree or higher15.2%24.5%
Avg household size2.232.72

Income gap is large: median household income climbs 24.1% between Evansville and Los Angeles (ACS 2023).

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.

Jobs & wages

Evansville MSA β€” median wage
$41,930
Los Angeles MSA β€” median wage
$50,490
Evansville MSA β€” employment
152,180
Los Angeles MSA β€” employment
6,185,570

Top occupations in Los Angeles MSA

OccupationEmploymentMedian 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 Indiana and California

Indiana income tax
3% top marginal
California income tax
13.3% top marginal

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 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

  • 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

Is Los Angeles more expensive than Evansville?

Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Los Angeles is 24.1% higher than Evansville (113.566 vs 91.528, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.

When is the best time to move from Evansville to Los Angeles?

Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2006 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β€” see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.

How far is Los Angeles, CA from Evansville, IN?

The driving distance is 2006 mi and the route typically takes 35h 9m via I 40 and I 44. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.

How much do homes cost in Los Angeles compared to Evansville?

Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $952,183 in Los Angeles vs $198,977 in Evansville β€” a 378.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.

How does the job market in Los Angeles compare to Evansville?

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Los Angeles MSA vs $41,930 in the Evansville MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 152,180 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.

How does household income compare in Evansville vs Los Angeles?

Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $80,366 in Los Angeles vs $52,251 in Evansville β€” a 53.8% higher 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 Evansville.

City profiles: Evansville, IN Β· Los Angeles, CA.

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