Moving from Huntington Beach, CA to El Paso, TX
Relocating 798 mi from Huntington Beach to El Paso is a 14h 19m drive through 4 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
798 mi Β· 14h 19m 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, US 95, CA 91 |
| Major cities en route | Las Cruces, Tucson, Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Huntington Beach | El Paso | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 89.912 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 82.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 71.248 | 100.0 |
You are looking at a 20.8% cheaper overall price level β 113.566 β 89.912 on the latest BEA Regional Price Parities.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
20.8% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Huntington Beach +2.8%, El Paso +1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Huntington Beach | El Paso |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 49Β°F | 35Β°F |
| July avg high | 79Β°F | 96Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 2.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.2" | 8.8" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Light snow year: El Paso gets around 2.8 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SANTA ANA JOHN WAYNE AP, CA US, EL PASO INTL AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Huntington Beach | El Paso |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 196,010 | 678,147 |
| Median household income | $119,885 | $58,734 |
| Median age | 43.4 | 34.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.5% | 18.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.53 | 2.8 |
Expect median household income to fall 20.8% β $119,885 β $58,734 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in El Paso MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 44,500 | $35,550 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 34,790 | $23,150 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 32,160 | $33,850 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 31,050 | $28,800 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 23,040 | $61,670 |
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 El Paso average 96Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: El Paso sees only 8.8 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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
When is the best time to move from Huntington Beach to El Paso?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 798 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is El Paso more expensive than Huntington Beach?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in El Paso is 20.8% lower than Huntington Beach (89.912 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in El Paso compare to Huntington Beach?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $36,000 in the El Paso MSA vs $50,490 in the Huntington Beach MSA, on total employment of 323,310 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Huntington Beach vs El Paso?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,734 in El Paso vs $119,885 in Huntington Beach β a 51.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is El Paso, TX from Huntington Beach, CA?
The driving distance is 798 mi and the route typically takes 14h 19m via I 10 and US 95. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in El Paso compared to Huntington Beach?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $234,775 in El Paso vs $1,366,658 in Huntington Beach β a 82.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Huntington Beach.
City profiles: Huntington Beach, CA Β· El Paso, TX.