Moving from Los Angeles, CA to Austin, TX
The drive from Los Angeles, CA to Austin, TX runs 1390 mi — about 23h 59m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
1390 mi · 23h 59m by car · CA → AZ → NM → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → AZ → NM → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 180, US 290 |
| 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
| Los Angeles | Austin | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 98.066 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 82.044 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 120.361 | 100.0 |
Austin is 13.6% cheaper than Los Angeles overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Austin is 13.6% below Los Angeles — $952,183 vs $508,530 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Los Angeles -1.4%, Austin -5.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Los Angeles | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64°F | 70°F |
| January avg low | 48°F | 42°F |
| July avg high | 78°F | 97°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 14.1" | 36.3" |
Climate warms by 6.2°F on the annual average — 63.8°F → 70.0°F.
Austin 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: CULVER CITY, CA US, AUSTIN-CAMP MABRY, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Los Angeles | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,857,897 | 967,862 |
| Median household income | $80,366 | $91,461 |
| Median age | 36.9 | 34.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.5% | 36.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.2 |
Income steps up 13.6%: $80,366 in Los Angeles vs $91,461 in Austin.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Austin MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 160,480 | $44,250 |
| Management Occupations | 121,080 | $120,430 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 115,170 | $38,390 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 115,080 | $30,040 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 99,680 | $77,510 |
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 — 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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Austin average 97°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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 Los Angeles to Austin?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1390 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Los Angeles vs Austin?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $91,461 in Austin vs $80,366 in Los Angeles — a 13.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Austin more expensive than Los Angeles?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Austin is 13.6% lower than Los Angeles (98.066 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Austin, TX from Los Angeles, CA?
The driving distance is 1390 mi and the route typically takes 23h 59m via I 10 and US 180. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Los Angeles and Austin?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.0°F in Austin vs 63.8°F in Los Angeles (6.2°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.2 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 36.3 in vs 14.1 in.
How much do homes cost in Austin compared to Los Angeles?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $508,530 in Austin vs $952,183 in Los Angeles — a 46.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Austin compare to Los Angeles?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,070 in the Austin MSA vs $50,490 in the Los Angeles MSA, on total employment of 1,235,440 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Los Angeles.
City profiles: Los Angeles, CA · Austin, TX.