Moving from Austin, TX to Costa Mesa, CA
It is 1367 mi between Austin and Costa Mesa β roughly 23h 40m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1367 mi Β· 23h 40m 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
| Austin | Costa Mesa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.066 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.044 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 120.361 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Costa Mesa runs about 15.8% more expensive overall than Austin β RPP 98.066 β 113.566.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $508,530 in Austin to $1,413,322 in Costa Mesa, a 15.8% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Austin -5.7%, Costa Mesa +3.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Austin | Costa Mesa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 70Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 42Β°F | 49Β°F |
| July avg high | 97Β°F | 79Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.2" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 36.3" | 11.2" |
Annual temperature drops 5.1Β°F moving to Costa Mesa per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: AUSTIN-CAMP MABRY, TX US, SANTA ANA JOHN WAYNE AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Austin | Costa Mesa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 110,538 |
| Median household income | $91,461 | $110,073 |
| Median age | 34.5 | 36.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 36.2% | 30.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.2 | 2.66 |
Costa Mesa households earn about 15.8% more than Austin at the median β $91,461 β $110,073 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Costa Mesa 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
- Dry climate: Costa Mesa sees only 11.2 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 Austin vs Costa Mesa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $110,073 in Costa Mesa vs $91,461 in Austin β a 20.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Costa Mesa, CA from Austin, TX?
The driving distance is 1367 mi and the route typically takes 23h 40m 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 Costa Mesa compared to Austin?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,413,322 in Costa Mesa vs $508,530 in Austin β a 177.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Austin to Costa Mesa?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1367 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Costa Mesa more expensive than Austin?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Costa Mesa is 15.8% higher than Austin (113.566 vs 98.066, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Costa Mesa compare to Austin?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Costa Mesa MSA vs $50,070 in the Austin MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 1,235,440 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 Austin.
City profiles: Austin, TX Β· Costa Mesa, CA.