Moving from Orange, CA to El Paso, TX
Relocating 785 mi from Orange to El Paso is a 14h 1m drive through 4 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
785 mi · 14h 1m by car · TX → NM → AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → NM → AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 95, CA 91 |
| Major cities en route | Las Cruces, Tucson, Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Orange | El Paso | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 89.912 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 82.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 71.248 | 100.0 |
El Paso sits 20.8% cheaper than Orange on the BEA RPP, one of the larger gaps you will see between U.S. metros.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $1,143,788 in Orange to $234,775 in El Paso, a 20.8% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Orange +0.5%, El Paso +1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Orange | El Paso |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 49°F | 35°F |
| July avg high | 83°F | 96°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 2.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.5" | 8.8" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 66.1°F vs 66.2°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Expect 2.8 in of snow annually at the destination — manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SANTA ANA FIRE STN, CA US, EL PASO INTL AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Orange | El Paso |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,723 | 678,147 |
| Median household income | $116,945 | $58,734 |
| Median age | 36.9 | 34.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.9% | 18.3% |
| Avg household size | 3.09 | 2.8 |
Expect median household income to fall 20.8% — $116,945 → $58,734 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in El Paso MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 44,500 | $35,550 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 34,790 | $23,150 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 32,160 | $33,850 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 31,050 | $28,800 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 23,040 | $61,670 |
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
- 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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in El Paso average 96°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: El Paso sees only 8.8 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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
How far is El Paso, TX from Orange, CA?
The driving distance is 785 mi and the route typically takes 14h 1m via I 10 and US 95. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Orange and El Paso?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.2°F in El Paso vs 66.1°F in Orange (0.1°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 2.8 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 8.8 in vs 12.5 in.
How much do homes cost in El Paso compared to Orange?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $234,775 in El Paso vs $1,143,788 in Orange — a 79.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Orange vs El Paso?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,734 in El Paso vs $116,945 in Orange — a 49.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in El Paso compare to Orange?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $36,000 in the El Paso MSA vs $50,490 in the Orange MSA, on total employment of 323,310 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Orange to El Paso?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 785 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is El Paso more expensive than Orange?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in El Paso is 20.8% lower than Orange (89.912 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Orange.
City profiles: Orange, CA · El Paso, TX.