Moving from Midland, TX to Glendale, CA
It is 1115 mi between Midland and Glendale — roughly 19h 20m 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.
1115 mi · 19h 20m by car · CA → AZ → NM → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → AZ → NM → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 180, I 20 |
| Major cities en route | Santa Clarita, Palmdale, Simi Valley, Burbank, Los Angeles |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Midland | Glendale | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 95.783 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.24 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 101.497 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 18.6% higher cost of living — rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 18.6% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $328,325 to $1,201,880 moving to Glendale.
YoY change: Midland +2.7%, Glendale -0.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Midland | Glendale |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65°F | 65°F |
| January avg low | 31°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 95°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 1.9" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 13.6" | 16.5" |
Annual average temperatures in Midland (65.0°F) and Glendale (64.5°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Glendale 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: MIDLAND 4 ENE, TX US, BURBANK VALLEY PUMP PLT, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Midland | Glendale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 133,998 | 192,270 |
| Median household income | $91,169 | $84,262 |
| Median age | 31.6 | 41.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.9% | 28.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.54 | 2.63 |
Households in Glendale earn about 18.6% less at the median — ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Glendale 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
- 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 the job market in Glendale compare to Midland?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Glendale MSA vs $50,470 in the Midland MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 114,810 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Glendale more expensive than Midland?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Glendale is 18.6% higher than Midland (113.566 vs 95.783, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Glendale, CA from Midland, TX?
The driving distance is 1115 mi and the route typically takes 19h 20m 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 Midland to Glendale?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1115 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Midland and Glendale?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 64.5°F in Glendale vs 65.0°F in Midland (0.5°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 1.9 in. Annual precipitation: 16.5 in vs 13.6 in.
How much do homes cost in Glendale compared to Midland?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,201,880 in Glendale vs $328,325 in Midland — a 266.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Midland vs Glendale?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $84,262 in Glendale vs $91,169 in Midland — a 7.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Midland.
City profiles: Midland, TX · Glendale, CA.