Moving from Austin, TX to El Paso, TX
Relocating 579 mi from Austin to El Paso is a 9h 46m drive through 1 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
579 mi · 9h 46m by car · TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 290, LOOP 1 |
| Major cities en route | Round Rock |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Austin | El Paso | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.066 | 89.912 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.044 | 82.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 120.361 | 71.248 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 8.3% cheaper overall in El Paso than Austin on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
8.3% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Austin -5.7%, El Paso +1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Austin | El Paso |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 70°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 42°F | 35°F |
| July avg high | 97°F | 96°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.2" | 2.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 36.3" | 8.8" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Light snow year: El Paso gets around 2.8 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: AUSTIN-CAMP MABRY, TX US, EL PASO INTL AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Austin | El Paso |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 678,147 |
| Median household income | $91,461 | $58,734 |
| Median age | 34.5 | 34.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 36.2% | 18.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.2 | 2.8 |
Expect median household income to fall 8.3% — $91,461 → $58,734 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in El Paso MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 44,500 | $35,550 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 34,790 | $23,150 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 32,160 | $33,850 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 31,050 | $28,800 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 23,040 | $61,670 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in El Paso average 96°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: El Paso sees only 8.8 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Austin vs El Paso?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,734 in El Paso vs $91,461 in Austin — a 35.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Austin to El Paso?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 579 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Austin and El Paso?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.2°F in El Paso vs 70.0°F in Austin (3.8°F colder). Annual snowfall: 2.8 in vs 0.2 in. Annual precipitation: 8.8 in vs 36.3 in.
How far is El Paso, TX from Austin, TX?
The driving distance is 579 mi and the route typically takes 9h 46m via I 10 and US 290. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in El Paso compare to Austin?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $36,000 in the El Paso MSA vs $50,070 in the Austin MSA, on total employment of 323,310 and 1,235,440 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is El Paso more expensive than Austin?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in El Paso is 8.3% lower than Austin (89.912 vs 98.066, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in El Paso compared to Austin?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $234,775 in El Paso vs $508,530 in Austin — a 53.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Austin.
City profiles: Austin, TX · El Paso, TX.