Moving from Killeen, TX to Berkeley, CA
A 1733 mi cross-country move between Killeen and Berkeley is 30h 56m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 4 states. Nearly every household line — rent, taxes, climate, commute — usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1733 mi · 30h 56m by car · TX → NM → AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → NM → AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 84, CA 58 |
| Major cities en route | Lubbock, Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Victorville, Lancaster |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Killeen | Berkeley | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.132 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 81.242 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 77.884 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Berkeley is 26.9% more expensive than Killeen on the BEA RPP — expect rent and services to carry most of that gap.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $219,957 in Killeen to $1,443,684 in Berkeley, a 26.9% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Killeen -1.3%, Berkeley -1.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Killeen | Berkeley |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67°F | 59°F |
| January avg low | 36°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 96°F | 74°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 34.8" | 26.1" |
Annual temperature drops 8.1°F moving to Berkeley per NOAA normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Berkeley sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: KILLEEN, TX US, BERKELEY, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Killeen | Berkeley |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,144 | 120,223 |
| Median household income | $58,339 | $108,558 |
| Median age | 30 | 32.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.2% | 33.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.61 | 2.57 |
Berkeley households earn about 26.9% more than Killeen at the median — $58,339 → $108,558 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Berkeley MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 244,380 | $59,630 |
| Management Occupations | 237,070 | $171,350 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 211,250 | $104,950 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 194,040 | $39,200 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 183,930 | $49,390 |
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 — 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
- 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
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October — 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 Berkeley more expensive than Killeen?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Berkeley is 26.9% higher than Killeen (115.613 vs 91.132, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Killeen to Berkeley?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1733 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Killeen vs Berkeley?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $108,558 in Berkeley vs $58,339 in Killeen — a 86.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Berkeley, CA from Killeen, TX?
The driving distance is 1733 mi and the route typically takes 30h 56m via I 40 and US 84. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Berkeley compare to Killeen?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Berkeley MSA vs $42,230 in the Killeen MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 147,020 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Berkeley compared to Killeen?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,443,684 in Berkeley vs $219,957 in Killeen — a 556.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Killeen and Berkeley?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 58.5°F in Berkeley vs 66.6°F in Killeen (8.1°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 26.1 in vs 34.8 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Killeen.
City profiles: Killeen, TX · Berkeley, CA.