Moving from San Diego, CA to Beaumont, TX
Cross-country relocations like San Diego, CA β Beaumont, TX cover 1551 mi and about 26h 32m of driving through 4 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1551 mi Β· 26h 32m 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, I 8, US 180 |
| Major cities en route | Oceanside, Escondido, Carlsbad, Chula Vista, El Cajon |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Diego | Beaumont | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.887 | 90.046 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 174.247 | 83.098 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.963 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 179.267 | 70.939 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Beaumont are 19.5% below San Diego β a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Beaumont typical home at $166,671 is 19.5% under San Diego at $1,001,265 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: San Diego -3.2%, Beaumont +1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | San Diego | Beaumont |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64Β°F | 70Β°F |
| January avg low | 46Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 80Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.0" | 65.1" |
Climate warms by 5.4Β°F on the annual average β 64.1Β°F β 69.5Β°F.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Beaumont sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SAN DIEGO MONTGOMERY FLD, CA US, BEAUMONT CITY, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Diego | Beaumont |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,385,061 | 113,710 |
| Median household income | $104,321 | $57,530 |
| Median age | 36 | 35.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.8% | 17.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.65 | 2.53 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 19.5% between San Diego and Beaumont (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Beaumont MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 17,280 | $38,670 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 13,980 | $27,000 |
| Construction and Extraction Occupations | 13,530 | $50,120 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 12,850 | $37,500 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 12,740 | $31,290 |
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
- 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 Beaumont average 92Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Beaumont averages 65.1 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- 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
Is Beaumont more expensive than San Diego?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Beaumont is 19.5% lower than San Diego (90.046 vs 111.887, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Beaumont compared to San Diego?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $166,671 in Beaumont vs $1,001,265 in San Diego β a 83.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Beaumont, TX from San Diego, CA?
The driving distance is 1551 mi and the route typically takes 26h 32m via I 10 and I 8. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in San Diego vs Beaumont?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $57,530 in Beaumont vs $104,321 in San Diego β a 44.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from San Diego to Beaumont?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1551 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Beaumont compare to San Diego?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,300 in the Beaumont MSA vs $53,090 in the San Diego MSA, on total employment of 155,500 and 1,522,620 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from San Diego.
City profiles: San Diego, CA Β· Beaumont, TX.