Moving from Santa Clara, CA to Laredo, TX
Moving from Santa Clara, CA to Laredo, TX is a 1747 mi cross-country relocation β about 31h 14m 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.
1747 mi Β· 31h 14m 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, I 5 |
| Major cities en route | El Paso, Las Cruces, Tucson, Mesa, Chandler |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Clara | Laredo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 110.423 | 86.956 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 156.659 | 80.614 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 211.901 | 59.746 | 100.0 |
Cost of living in Laredo is 21.3% lower than Santa Clara 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 Laredo: 21.3% below Santa Clara on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Santa Clara -1.1%, Laredo +2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Santa Clara | Laredo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61Β°F | 75Β°F |
| January avg low | 42Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 100Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 13.5" | 19.7" |
Laredo runs 14.3Β°F warmer on the annual average (60.7Β°F vs 75.0Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Effectively snow-free year in Laredo β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SAN JOSE, CA US, LAREDO 2, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Clara | Laredo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,239 | 255,949 |
| Median household income | $173,670 | $63,264 |
| Median age | 34.5 | 29.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.4% | 15.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 3.36 |
Median household income in Laredo is 21.3% below Santa Clara ($173,670 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 (14.3Β°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
Is Laredo more expensive than Santa Clara?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Laredo is 21.3% lower than Santa Clara (86.956 vs 110.423, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Santa Clara to Laredo?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1747 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 Santa Clara?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $220,331 in Laredo vs $1,782,192 in Santa Clara β a 87.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Laredo, TX from Santa Clara, CA?
The driving distance is 1747 mi and the route typically takes 31h 14m via I 10 and US 67. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Laredo compare to Santa Clara?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $35,220 in the Laredo MSA vs $81,470 in the Santa Clara MSA, on total employment of 104,610 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 Laredo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,264 in Laredo vs $173,670 in Santa Clara β a 63.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
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· Laredo, TX.