Moving from Odessa, TX to Bakersfield, CA
It is 1198 mi between Odessa and Bakersfield β roughly 20h 52m 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.
1198 mi Β· 20h 52m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 180, I 20 |
| Major cities en route | Lancaster, Santa Clarita, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Palmdale |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Odessa | Bakersfield | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 93.896 | 100.886 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.86 | 158.257 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 89.709 | 90.291 | 100.0 |
Bakersfield runs about 7.4% more expensive overall than Odessa β RPP 93.896 β 100.886.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $251,239 in Odessa to $396,047 in Bakersfield, a 7.4% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Odessa +5.6%, Bakersfield -0.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Odessa | Bakersfield |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 32Β°F | 39Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 97Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.9" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 12.3" | 6.7" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 64.4Β°F vs 65.1Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ODESSA, TX US, BAKERSFIELD 5 NW, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Odessa | Bakersfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,080 | 408,366 |
| Median household income | $73,030 | $77,397 |
| Median age | 31 | 31.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.6% | 15.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.54 | 3.2 |
Households in Bakersfield earn about 7.4% more at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Bakersfield MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations | 39,670 | $33,500 |
| Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse | 36,890 | $33,490 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 34,910 | $44,030 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 30,340 | $45,500 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 28,110 | $33,580 |
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 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 Bakersfield average 97Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Bakersfield sees only 6.7 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 β 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
Is Bakersfield more expensive than Odessa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Bakersfield is 7.4% higher than Odessa (100.886 vs 93.896, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Odessa vs Bakersfield?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $77,397 in Bakersfield vs $73,030 in Odessa β a 6.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Bakersfield compare to Odessa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,960 in the Bakersfield MSA vs $45,830 in the Odessa MSA, on total employment of 330,270 and 76,440 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Bakersfield, CA from Odessa, TX?
The driving distance is 1198 mi and the route typically takes 20h 52m via I 10 and US 180. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Bakersfield compared to Odessa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $396,047 in Bakersfield vs $251,239 in Odessa β a 57.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Odessa to Bakersfield?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1198 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Odessa.
City profiles: Odessa, TX Β· Bakersfield, CA.