Moving from Salinas, CA to Laredo, TX
Moving from Salinas, CA to Laredo, TX is a 1705 mi cross-country relocation β about 30h 36m of driving through 4 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
1705 mi Β· 30h 36m by car Β· TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 67, US 90 |
| Major cities en route | El Paso, Las Cruces, Tucson, Chandler, Gilbert |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Salinas | Laredo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 109.042 | 86.956 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 154.157 | 80.614 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 145.669 | 59.746 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Laredo come in 20.3% under Salinas β expect rent and services to carry most of that gap.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Laredo typical home at $220,331 is 20.3% under Salinas at $747,758 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Salinas -1.1%, Laredo +2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Salinas | Laredo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58Β°F | 75Β°F |
| January avg low | 42Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 71Β°F | 100Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.6" | 19.7" |
NOAA normals show Laredo running 16.9Β°F above Salinas on the annual mean.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Laredo sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SALINAS MUNICIPAL AP, CA US, LAREDO 2, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Salinas | Laredo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 161,993 | 255,949 |
| Median household income | $89,150 | $63,264 |
| Median age | 32.1 | 29.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 11.4% | 15.1% |
| Avg household size | 3.71 | 3.36 |
Median household income in Laredo is 20.3% below Salinas ($89,150 vs $63,264, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Laredo MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 15,810 | $34,040 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 15,300 | $35,870 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 10,740 | $23,180 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 9,360 | $28,410 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 9,330 | $22,560 |
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
- 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 Laredo average 100Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (16.9Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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 does household income compare in Salinas vs Laredo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,264 in Laredo vs $89,150 in Salinas β a 29.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Laredo compare to Salinas?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $35,220 in the Laredo MSA vs $44,570 in the Salinas MSA, on total employment of 104,610 and 181,410 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Laredo more expensive than Salinas?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Laredo is 20.3% lower than Salinas (86.956 vs 109.042, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Laredo, TX from Salinas, CA?
The driving distance is 1705 mi and the route typically takes 30h 36m via I 10 and US 67. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Salinas to Laredo?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1705 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Laredo compared to Salinas?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $220,331 in Laredo vs $747,758 in Salinas β a 70.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Salinas.
City profiles: Salinas, CA Β· Laredo, TX.