Moving from San Mateo, CA to Brownsville, TX
Cross-country relocations like San Mateo, CA β Brownsville, TX cover 1990 mi and about 34h 57m 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.
1990 mi Β· 34h 57m 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 87, I 5 |
| Major cities en route | San Antonio, El Paso, Las Cruces, Tucson, Chandler |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Mateo | Brownsville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 85.975 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 81.15 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 57.72 | 100.0 |
Cost of living in Brownsville is 25.6% lower than San Mateo β the kind of spread that reshuffles a household budget line by line.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Brownsville: 25.6% below San Mateo on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: San Mateo +0.6%, Brownsville +2.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | San Mateo | Brownsville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 74Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 51Β°F |
| July avg high | 73Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 19.6" | β |
Major climate step-up: 15.7Β°F warmer annual average in Brownsville vs San Mateo.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SAN FRANCISCO INTL AP, CA US, WFO BROWNSVILLE, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Mateo | Brownsville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 103,555 | 188,023 |
| Median household income | $152,669 | $48,675 |
| Median age | 38 | 30.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.4% | 15.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 3.21 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 25.6% between San Mateo and Brownsville (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Brownsville MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 23,130 | $22,740 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | 19,670 | $22,260 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 19,400 | $34,840 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 15,770 | $22,990 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 12,620 | $55,410 |
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 Brownsville average 92Β°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 (15.7Β°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 San Mateo vs Brownsville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,675 in Brownsville vs $152,669 in San Mateo β a 68.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Brownsville compared to San Mateo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $195,993 in Brownsville vs $1,686,905 in San Mateo β a 88.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Brownsville compare to San Mateo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $33,540 in the Brownsville MSA vs $72,050 in the San Mateo MSA, on total employment of 154,580 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from San Mateo to Brownsville?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1990 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Brownsville more expensive than San Mateo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Brownsville is 25.6% lower than San Mateo (85.975 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Brownsville, TX from San Mateo, CA?
The driving distance is 1990 mi and the route typically takes 34h 57m via I 10 and US 87. 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 Mateo.
City profiles: San Mateo, CA Β· Brownsville, TX.