Moving from Costa Mesa, CA to Irving, TX
The drive from Costa Mesa, CA to Irving, TX runs 1420 mi β about 24h 35m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
1420 mi Β· 24h 35m 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, I 20, US 95 |
| Major cities en route | Dallas, Plano, Garland, Frisco, Mckinney |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Costa Mesa | Irving | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Irving is 9.2% cheaper than Costa Mesa overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Irving is 9.2% below Costa Mesa β $1,413,322 vs $341,503 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Costa Mesa +3.1%, Irving -2.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Costa Mesa | Irving |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 49Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 79Β°F | 96Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 1.6" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.2" | 37.0" |
Annual average temperatures in Costa Mesa (64.9Β°F) and Irving (66.6Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Irving averages 1.6 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: SANTA ANA JOHN WAYNE AP, CA US, DALLAS FT WORTH AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Costa Mesa | Irving |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 110,538 | 255,036 |
| Median household income | $110,073 | $79,641 |
| Median age | 36.5 | 32.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30.9% | 24.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 2.71 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 9.2% between Costa Mesa and Irving (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Irving MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 523,660 | $44,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 412,270 | $39,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 368,400 | $36,710 |
| Management Occupations | 350,940 | $117,410 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 341,240 | $29,000 |
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
- 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 Irving average 96Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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
Is Irving more expensive than Costa Mesa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Irving is 9.2% lower than Costa Mesa (103.09 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Irving compare to Costa Mesa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Irving MSA vs $50,490 in the Costa Mesa MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Costa Mesa vs Irving?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $79,641 in Irving vs $110,073 in Costa Mesa β a 27.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Irving, TX from Costa Mesa, CA?
The driving distance is 1420 mi and the route typically takes 24h 35m via I 10 and I 20. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Costa Mesa to Irving?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1420 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Irving compared to Costa Mesa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $341,503 in Irving vs $1,413,322 in Costa Mesa β a 75.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Costa Mesa.
City profiles: Costa Mesa, CA Β· Irving, TX.