Moving from Laredo, TX to Los Angeles, CA
It is 1416 mi between Laredo and Los Angeles — roughly 25h 2m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1416 mi · 25h 2m by car · CA → AZ → NM → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → AZ → NM → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 180, US 90 |
| Major cities en route | Torrance, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Santa Clarita, Inglewood |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Laredo | Los Angeles | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 86.956 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 80.614 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 59.746 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Los Angeles is 30.6% more expensive than Laredo 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 $220,331 in Laredo to $952,183 in Los Angeles, a 30.6% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Laredo +2.5%, Los Angeles -1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Laredo | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 75°F | 64°F |
| January avg low | 47°F | 48°F |
| July avg high | 100°F | 78°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 19.7" | 14.1" |
Annual temperature drops 11.2°F moving to Los Angeles per NOAA normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Los Angeles sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: LAREDO 2, TX US, CULVER CITY, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Laredo | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 255,949 | 3,857,897 |
| Median household income | $63,264 | $80,366 |
| Median age | 29.7 | 36.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.1% | 24.5% |
| Avg household size | 3.36 | 2.72 |
Los Angeles households earn about 30.6% more than Laredo at the median — $63,264 → $80,366 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Los Angeles 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: 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.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (11.2°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- 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 does household income compare in Laredo vs Los Angeles?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $80,366 in Los Angeles vs $63,264 in Laredo — a 27.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Los Angeles, CA from Laredo, TX?
The driving distance is 1416 mi and the route typically takes 25h 2m via I 10 and US 180. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Los Angeles compare to Laredo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Los Angeles MSA vs $35,220 in the Laredo MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 104,610 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Laredo and Los Angeles?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 63.8°F in Los Angeles vs 75.0°F in Laredo (11.2°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.1 in. Annual precipitation: 14.1 in vs 19.7 in.
How much do homes cost in Los Angeles compared to Laredo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $952,183 in Los Angeles vs $220,331 in Laredo — a 332.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Laredo 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 1416 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Los Angeles more expensive than Laredo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Los Angeles is 30.6% higher than Laredo (113.566 vs 86.956, 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 Laredo.
City profiles: Laredo, TX · Los Angeles, CA.