Moving from Torrance, CA to Austin, TX
A move from Torrance, CA to Austin, TX covers 1388 mi and around 24h 5m of driving through 4 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
1388 mi Β· 24h 5m 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 290, US 95 |
| Major cities en route | Round Rock, El Paso, Las Cruces, Tucson, Chandler |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Torrance | Austin | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 98.066 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 82.044 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 120.361 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 113.566 to 98.066, putting Austin roughly 13.6% below Torrance on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Austin: 13.6% below Torrance on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Torrance +0.9%, Austin -5.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Torrance | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63Β°F | 70Β°F |
| January avg low | 47Β°F | 42Β°F |
| July avg high | 76Β°F | 97Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 13.8" | 36.3" |
Austin runs 7.5Β°F warmer on the annual average (62.5Β°F vs 70.0Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Effectively snow-free year in Austin β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: REDONDO BEACH, CA US, AUSTIN-CAMP MABRY, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Torrance | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,499 | 967,862 |
| Median household income | $113,105 | $91,461 |
| Median age | 43.1 | 34.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 34.2% | 36.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.59 | 2.2 |
Median household income in Austin is 13.6% below Torrance ($113,105 β $91,461, ACS 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 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 Austin average 97Β°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
Is Austin more expensive than Torrance?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Austin is 13.6% lower than Torrance (98.066 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Torrance to Austin?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1388 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Torrance vs Austin?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $91,461 in Austin vs $113,105 in Torrance β a 19.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Austin, TX from Torrance, CA?
The driving distance is 1388 mi and the route typically takes 24h 5m via I 10 and US 290. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Austin compared to Torrance?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $508,530 in Austin vs $1,124,932 in Torrance β a 54.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Austin compare to Torrance?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,070 in the Austin MSA vs $50,490 in the Torrance MSA, on total employment of 1,235,440 and 6,185,570 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 Torrance.
City profiles: Torrance, CA Β· Austin, TX.