Moving from San Jose, CA to Austin, TX
Moving from San Jose, CA to Austin, TX is a 1710 mi cross-country relocation — about 29h 57m 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.
1710 mi · 29h 57m by car · CA → AZ → NM → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → AZ → NM → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 180, I 5 |
| Major cities en route | Fremont, Hayward, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, Salinas |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Jose | Austin | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 110.423 | 98.066 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 156.659 | 82.044 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 211.901 | 120.361 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 110.423 to 98.066, putting Austin roughly 11.2% below San Jose on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Austin: 11.2% below San Jose on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: San Jose -2.5%, Austin -5.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | San Jose | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62°F | 70°F |
| January avg low | 43°F | 42°F |
| July avg high | 82°F | 97°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 16.1" | 36.3" |
Austin runs 8.5°F warmer on the annual average (61.5°F vs 70.0°F, NOAA 1991–2020).
Effectively snow-free year in Austin — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SAN JOSE, CA US, AUSTIN-CAMP MABRY, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Jose | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 990,054 | 967,862 |
| Median household income | $141,565 | $91,461 |
| Median age | 38.1 | 34.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.2% | 36.2% |
| Avg household size | 3.03 | 2.2 |
Median household income in Austin is 11.2% below San Jose ($141,565 vs $91,461, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Austin MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 160,480 | $44,250 |
| Management Occupations | 121,080 | $120,430 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 115,170 | $38,390 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 115,080 | $30,040 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 99,680 | $77,510 |
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
- 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 Austin average 97°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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 San Jose vs Austin?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $91,461 in Austin vs $141,565 in San Jose — a 35.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Austin more expensive than San Jose?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Austin is 11.2% lower than San Jose (98.066 vs 110.423, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Austin compare to San Jose?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,070 in the Austin MSA vs $81,470 in the San Jose MSA, on total employment of 1,235,440 and 1,141,820 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Austin compared to San Jose?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $508,530 in Austin vs $1,463,614 in San Jose — a 65.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between San Jose and Austin?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.0°F in Austin vs 61.5°F in San Jose (8.5°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.2 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 36.3 in vs 16.1 in.
When is the best time to move from San Jose to Austin?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1710 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Austin, TX from San Jose, CA?
The driving distance is 1710 mi and the route typically takes 29h 57m via I 10 and US 180. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from San Jose.
City profiles: San Jose, CA · Austin, TX.