Moving from Odessa, TX to El Monte, CA
A move from Odessa, TX to El Monte, CA covers 1078 mi and around 18h 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.
1078 mi · 18h 34m by car · TX → NM → AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → NM → AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 20, US 95 |
| Major cities en route | Midland, El Paso, Las Cruces, Tucson, Chandler |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Odessa | El Monte | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 93.896 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.86 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 89.709 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Major COL jump: 20.9% higher overall in El Monte vs Odessa on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in El Monte: 20.9% above Odessa on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Odessa +5.6%, El Monte +0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Odessa | El Monte |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 32°F | 46°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.9" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.3" | 15.7" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in El Monte — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ODESSA, TX US, SAN GABRIEL FIRE DEPT, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Odessa | El Monte |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,080 | 107,066 |
| Median household income | $73,030 | $64,484 |
| Median age | 31 | 38.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.6% | 11.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.54 | 3.62 |
Median household income in El Monte is 20.9% below Odessa ($73,030 → $64,484, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in El Monte 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
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
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 far is El Monte, CA from Odessa, TX?
The driving distance is 1078 mi and the route typically takes 18h 34m via I 10 and I 20. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in El Monte compare to Odessa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the El Monte MSA vs $45,830 in the Odessa MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 76,440 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Odessa and El Monte?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.0°F in El Monte vs 64.4°F in Odessa (1.6°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.9 in. Annual precipitation: 15.7 in vs 12.3 in.
How does household income compare in Odessa vs El Monte?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $64,484 in El Monte vs $73,030 in Odessa — a 11.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is El Monte more expensive than Odessa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in El Monte is 20.9% higher than Odessa (113.566 vs 93.896, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in El Monte compared to Odessa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $765,444 in El Monte vs $251,239 in Odessa — a 204.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Odessa to El Monte?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1078 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — 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 · El Monte, CA.