Moving from Killeen, TX to Irvine, CA
Relocating 1374 mi from Killeen to Irvine is a 23h 54m drive through 4 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.
1374 mi · 23h 54m by car · CA → AZ → NM → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → AZ → NM → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 180, US 190 |
| Major cities en route | Costa Mesa, Long Beach, Santa Ana, Huntington Beach, Garden Grove |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Killeen | Irvine | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.132 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 81.242 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 77.884 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP climbs from 91.132 in Killeen to 113.566 in Irvine, putting overall prices 24.6% above the origin.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 24.6% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $219,957 to $1,557,982 moving to Irvine.
YoY change: Killeen -1.3%, Irvine -0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Killeen | Irvine |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67°F | 65°F |
| January avg low | 36°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 96°F | 85°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 34.8" | 14.1" |
Annual average temperatures in Killeen (66.6°F) and Irvine (64.9°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Irvine gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: KILLEEN, TX US, TUSTIN IRVINE RCH, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Killeen | Irvine |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,144 | 308,160 |
| Median household income | $58,339 | $129,647 |
| Median age | 30 | 33.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.2% | 39.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.61 | 2.75 |
Expect median household income to rise 24.6% — $58,339 → $129,647 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Irvine MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median 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 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
- 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: Irvine 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 — 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
How far is Irvine, CA from Killeen, TX?
The driving distance is 1374 mi and the route typically takes 23h 54m via I 10 and US 180. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Killeen to Irvine?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1374 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Killeen and Irvine?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 64.9°F in Irvine vs 66.6°F in Killeen (1.7°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 14.1 in vs 34.8 in.
How does the job market in Irvine compare to Killeen?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Irvine MSA vs $42,230 in the Killeen MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 147,020 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Irvine compared to Killeen?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,557,982 in Irvine vs $219,957 in Killeen — a 608.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Killeen vs Irvine?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $129,647 in Irvine vs $58,339 in Killeen — a 122.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Irvine more expensive than Killeen?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Irvine is 24.6% higher than Killeen (113.566 vs 91.132, 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 Killeen.
City profiles: Killeen, TX · Irvine, CA.