Moving from Bakersfield, CA to Midland, TX
Relocating 1218 mi from Bakersfield to Midland is a 21h 14m drive through 4 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1218 mi Β· 21h 14m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 180, I 20 |
| Major cities en route | Lancaster, Santa Clarita, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Palmdale |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Bakersfield | Midland | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.886 | 95.783 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.257 | 83.24 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 90.291 | 101.497 | 100.0 |
Expect about 5.1% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Midland at 95.783 vs Bakersfield at 100.886.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect around 5.1% lower home prices per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Bakersfield -0.3%, Midland +2.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Bakersfield | Midland |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 39Β°F | 31Β°F |
| July avg high | 97Β°F | 95Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 1.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 6.7" | 13.6" |
Annual average temperatures in Bakersfield (65.1Β°F) and Midland (65.0Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Midland averages 1.9 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: BAKERSFIELD 5 NW, CA US, MIDLAND 4 ENE, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Bakersfield | Midland |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 133,998 |
| Median household income | $77,397 | $91,169 |
| Median age | 31.9 | 31.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.1% | 23.9% |
| Avg household size | 3.2 | 2.54 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 5.1% higher in Midland than Bakersfield.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Midland MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Construction and Extraction Occupations | 17,160 | $49,990 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 14,010 | $48,020 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 11,250 | $45,440 |
| Management Occupations | 10,010 | $126,770 |
| Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations | 9,680 | $56,990 |
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 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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Midland average 95Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Midland sees only 13.6 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.
- Register to vote in Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Bakersfield vs Midland?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $91,169 in Midland vs $77,397 in Bakersfield β a 17.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Midland more expensive than Bakersfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Midland is 5.1% lower than Bakersfield (95.783 vs 100.886, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Midland compare to Bakersfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,470 in the Midland MSA vs $44,960 in the Bakersfield MSA, on total employment of 114,810 and 330,270 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Midland, TX from Bakersfield, CA?
The driving distance is 1218 mi and the route typically takes 21h 14m via I 10 and US 180. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Midland compared to Bakersfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $328,325 in Midland vs $396,047 in Bakersfield β a 17.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Bakersfield to Midland?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1218 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 Bakersfield.
City profiles: Bakersfield, CA Β· Midland, TX.