Moving from Allen, TX to West Covina, CA
A move from Allen, TX to West Covina, CA covers 1412 mi and around 24h 39m 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.
1412 mi Β· 24h 39m by car Β· TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 287, I 15 |
| Major cities en route | Garland, Mckinney, Mesquite, Richardson, Plano |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Allen | West Covina | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in West Covina is 10.2% higher than Allen, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in West Covina is 10.2% above Allen β $493,532 vs $852,373 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Allen -6.4%, West Covina +0.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Allen | West Covina |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 34Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 95Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 38.3" | 14.5" |
Annual average temperatures in Allen (65.0Β°F) and West Covina (65.1Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
West Covina gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MCKINNEY MUNI AP, TX US, POMONA/FAIRPLEX, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Allen | West Covina |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,684 | 107,436 |
| Median household income | $129,130 | $98,570 |
| Median age | 38.5 | 40.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33.6% | 21.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.97 | 3.3 |
Median household income in West Covina is 10.2% below Allen ($129,130 vs $98,570, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in West Covina MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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 West Covina average 90Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: West Covina sees only 14.5 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- 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 California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Allen vs West Covina?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $98,570 in West Covina vs $129,130 in Allen β a 23.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in West Covina compare to Allen?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the West Covina MSA vs $48,440 in the Allen MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is West Covina, CA from Allen, TX?
The driving distance is 1412 mi and the route typically takes 24h 39m via I 40 and US 287. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is West Covina more expensive than Allen?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in West Covina is 10.2% higher than Allen (113.566 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in West Covina compared to Allen?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $852,373 in West Covina vs $493,532 in Allen β a 72.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Allen to West Covina?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1412 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Allen.
City profiles: Allen, TX Β· West Covina, CA.