Moving from Santa Clara, CA to Allen, TX
A 1699 mi cross-country move between Santa Clara and Allen is 30h 3m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 4 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1699 mi Β· 30h 3m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 287, I 5 |
| Major cities en route | Fremont, Hayward, Sunnyvale, San Mateo, San Jose |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Clara | Allen | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 110.423 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 156.659 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 211.901 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 6.6% cheaper overall in Allen than Santa Clara on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
6.6% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Santa Clara -1.1%, Allen -6.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Santa Clara | Allen |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 42Β°F | 34Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 95Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 13.5" | 38.3" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SAN JOSE, CA US, MCKINNEY MUNI AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Clara | Allen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,239 | 107,684 |
| Median household income | $173,670 | $129,130 |
| Median age | 34.5 | 38.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.4% | 33.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 2.97 |
Allen households earn about 6.6% less than Santa Clara at the median β $173,670 β $129,130 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Allen MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 523,660 | $44,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 412,270 | $39,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 368,400 | $36,710 |
| Management Occupations | 350,940 | $117,410 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 341,240 | $29,000 |
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 Allen average 95Β°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 the job market in Allen compare to Santa Clara?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Allen MSA vs $81,470 in the Santa Clara MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 1,141,820 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Santa Clara vs Allen?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $129,130 in Allen vs $173,670 in Santa Clara β a 25.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Allen, TX from Santa Clara, CA?
The driving distance is 1699 mi and the route typically takes 30h 3m via I 40 and US 287. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Santa Clara to Allen?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1699 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Allen more expensive than Santa Clara?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Allen is 6.6% lower than Santa Clara (103.09 vs 110.423, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Allen compared to Santa Clara?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $493,532 in Allen vs $1,782,192 in Santa Clara β a 72.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Santa Clara.
City profiles: Santa Clara, CA Β· Allen, TX.