Moving from West Covina, CA to Killeen, TX
A move from West Covina, CA to Killeen, TX covers 1369 mi and around 23h 45m 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.
1369 mi · 23h 45m by car · TX → NM → AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → NM → AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 190, US 95 |
| Major cities en route | El Paso, Las Cruces, Tucson, Chandler, Gilbert |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| West Covina | Killeen | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 91.132 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 81.242 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 77.884 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Killeen are 19.8% below West Covina — a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Killeen typical home at $219,957 is 19.8% under West Covina at $852,373 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: West Covina +0.7%, Killeen -1.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | West Covina | Killeen |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 43°F | 36°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 96°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 14.5" | 34.8" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 65.1°F vs 66.6°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Killeen sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: POMONA/FAIRPLEX, CA US, KILLEEN, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | West Covina | Killeen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,436 | 156,144 |
| Median household income | $98,570 | $58,339 |
| Median age | 40.1 | 30 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.4% | 16.2% |
| Avg household size | 3.3 | 2.61 |
Median household income in Killeen is 19.8% below West Covina ($98,570 vs $58,339, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Killeen MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 16,840 | $37,540 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 15,620 | $26,660 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 14,700 | $81,360 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 13,820 | $37,760 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 12,710 | $59,740 |
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
- 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 Killeen average 96°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
When is the best time to move from West Covina to Killeen?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1369 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in West Covina vs Killeen?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,339 in Killeen vs $98,570 in West Covina — a 40.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Killeen compared to West Covina?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $219,957 in Killeen vs $852,373 in West Covina — a 74.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Killeen more expensive than West Covina?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Killeen is 19.8% lower than West Covina (91.132 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Killeen compare to West Covina?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $42,230 in the Killeen MSA vs $50,490 in the West Covina MSA, on total employment of 147,020 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Killeen, TX from West Covina, CA?
The driving distance is 1369 mi and the route typically takes 23h 45m via I 10 and US 190. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between West Covina and Killeen?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Killeen vs 65.1°F in West Covina (1.5°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 34.8 in vs 14.5 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from West Covina.
City profiles: West Covina, CA · Killeen, TX.