Moving from Los Angeles, CA to Denton, TX
A move from Los Angeles, CA to Denton, TX covers 1406 mi and around 24h 34m of driving through 4 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
1406 mi Β· 24h 34m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 287, I 15 |
| 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 | Denton | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 113.566 to 103.09, putting Denton roughly 9.2% below Los Angeles on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Denton: 9.2% below Los Angeles on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Los Angeles -1.4%, Denton -4.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Los Angeles | Denton |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 48Β°F | 34Β°F |
| July avg high | 78Β°F | 96Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 14.1" | 38.4" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CULVER CITY, CA US, DENTON 2 SE, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Los Angeles | Denton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,857,897 | 146,987 |
| Median household income | $80,366 | $73,719 |
| Median age | 36.9 | 31 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.5% | 25.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.72 |
Median household income in Denton is 9.2% below Los Angeles ($80,366 β $73,719, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Denton MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 523,660 | $44,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 412,270 | $39,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 368,400 | $36,710 |
| Management Occupations | 350,940 | $117,410 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 341,240 | $29,000 |
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
- 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 Denton average 96Β°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
Is Denton more expensive than Los Angeles?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Denton is 9.2% lower than Los Angeles (103.09 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Denton, TX from Los Angeles, CA?
The driving distance is 1406 mi and the route typically takes 24h 34m via I 40 and US 287. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Los Angeles to Denton?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1406 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Denton compare to Los Angeles?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Denton MSA vs $50,490 in the Los Angeles MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Los Angeles vs Denton?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $73,719 in Denton vs $80,366 in Los Angeles β a 8.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Denton compared to Los Angeles?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $354,135 in Denton vs $952,183 in Los Angeles β a 62.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Los Angeles.
City profiles: Los Angeles, CA Β· Denton, TX.