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Factors affecting the cost of moving from CA to TX
There are many factors that influence California moving costs. The cost to move from California to Texas will depend on these factors:
- Move size: Moving a large home costs more than moving a studio apartment.
- Time of year: The peak moving season in California is in the summer, so moving companies will likely charge more.
- DIY vs. professional mover: DIY moving services are cheaper but you do all the heavy lifting compared to letting the pros handle your move.
What to know before moving from CA to TX
If you’re moving to Texas from California, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.
Cost of living: California vs. Texas
| California | Texas | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,856 | $1,251 |
| Average home cost | $771,057 | $300,267 |
| Average income (per capita) | $91,905 | $73,035 |
| Cost of Living Index | 134 | 93 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.4% | 4.1% |
| Average Sales Tax | 8.68% | 8.19% |
| State Income Tax | 13.3% | 0.0% |
- Rent is about 33% less expensive in Texas than in California.
- Home prices are about 61% lower in Texas than in California.
- The average income is about 21% lower in Texas than in California.
- Cost of living is 31% lower in Texas than in California.
- Texas has a lower unemployment rate than California by about 24%.
- Sales taxes are 6% lower in Texas than in California.
- Texas has no income tax.
How life is different in Texas vs. California
| Texas | California | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 30,503,301 | 39,029,342 |
| Political leaning | Republican 56-44 | Democratic 59-41 |
| Summer high | 94ºF | 87ºF |
| Winter low | 36ºF | 59ºF |
| Annual rain | 36" | 22" |
| Annual snow | 2" | 7" |
| Crime index | 27.32 | 28.43 |
- The population of Texas is approximately 22% lower than the population of California.
- In the last presidential election, Texas voted Republican and California voted Democratic.
- The average high in the summertime in Texas is 94ºF and in California, it’s 87ºF.
- During the coldest part of the year, Texas reaches the temperature of 36ºF and California gets down to 59ºF.
- You can expect about 36 inches of annual rainfall in Texas versus 22 inches of rainfall in California.
- In Texas, it snows about 2 inches annually versus 7 inches of snow in California.
- Texas has a lower crime rate than California with a crime index of 27.32 vs. 28.43.
Comparing the pros of California vs. Texas
Getting a fresh start in a new location is exciting. Here’s a side-by-side look at the perks of living in Texas compared to California.
| Pros of living in California | Pros of living in Texas |
|---|---|
| Ample economic opportunity | Ample economic opportunity |
| Pleasant weather | Favorable climate |
| Abundant recreational options | Delicious barbecue |
| High quality of life | Low taxes |
| Fresh and healthy foods | Privacy and freedom |
Comparing the cons of living in California vs. Texas
Everything can’t be sunshine and rainbows all the time, no matter where you live. Here are some things to be aware of when leaving California for Texas.
| Cons of living in California | Cons of living in Texas |
|---|---|
| High cost of living | Severe weather |
| Heavy tax burdens | Limited healthcare access |
| Natural disasters | High crime rate |
| Terrible traffic | Traffic issues |
| Strange laws | Politics |
Other things to consider for your California to Texas move
- Weather: Although winters are mild, hurricane season during the summer months may affect your move.
- HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
- Elevator reservation: One common and important example of something that should be handled ahead of time is reserving the building's elevator and finding out their rules for using the elevator.
- Parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles, find out ahead of time with your new local rules.
- State licensing: In-state movers operating in the Lone Star State are legally required to be licensed by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TXDMV), which issues 10-digit TXDMV numbers to commercial carriers. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
- State regulator: You can verify a Texas moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
- Moving permits: Texas does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
- Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form so that all your mail will get properly forwarded to Texas. Get started here.
- Mover's insurance: Interstate moving companies are required under federal law to provide basic insurance — also called “released value protection” — free of charge to all moving customers. In Texas, movers typically provide Released Value Protection at no additional cost, covering items at 60 cents per pound. For enhanced protection, consider discussing Full Value Protection options with the moving company. Alternatively, explore third-party insurance providers for customized plans. It's crucial to understand coverage limits, potential additional costs, and read reviews to make an informed decision about your moving insurance in Texas.
- Moving checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.
Things to do in Texas
While you’re in Texas, you won’t be bored. These are some of the coolest places to visit in your new home state:
- The Alamo
- San Antonio River Walk (Paseo del Rio)
- Texas State Capitol
- Dallas World Aquarium
- Padre Island National Seashore
- Space Center Houston
- Schlitterbahn Waterpark, New Braunfels
- Big Bend National Park
- Moody Gardens and Aquarium, Galveston Island
- Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District
- Guadalupe Mountains National Park
- Cadillac Ranch
- Natural Bridge Caverns
- The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza
- The USS Lexington
- Kemah Boardwalk
- Six Flags Over Texas
- Hamilton Pool
- Dinosaur Valley State Park
- Gruene Historic District
FAQs
What is the cheapest way to move from California to Texas?
Hiring a full-service California moving company will be on the more expensive side, while a rental truck or a moving container is usually the cheaper way to go, but requires more work. Here’s our guide for the cheapest way to move out of state.
Do movers transport your car from California to Texas?
Some full-service movers can coordinate auto transport for you as part of your relocation package for an additional fee. But you can also handle vehicle transport from California to Texas separately through one of the top car shipping companies.
What are the benefits of moving from California to Texas?
The main reasons people are moving from California to Texas are the amazing upsides of living in Texas such as ample economic opportunity and favorable climate.
Is it cheaper to live in California or Texas?
It is generally cheaper to live in Texas than in California. Housing is much more affordable in Texas, with average rent about 33% less and home prices 61.1% lower than in California. Texas has no income tax.
How much should you make a year to live comfortably in Texas?
You should make approximately $68,275 as a single adult with no children to live comfortably in Texas. The cost of living in Texas is approximately $3,087 per month for an individual and $7,804 for a family of four. The exact amount you’ll need to live comfortably may be more or less depending on where in Texas you live For example, larger cities like Dallas and Austin will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.
