Moving from El Cajon, CA to McKinney, TX
It is 1370 mi between El Cajon and McKinney β roughly 23h 27m 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.
1370 mi Β· 23h 27m 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, I 8 |
| Major cities en route | Garland, Allen, Plano, Frisco, Carrollton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| El Cajon | McKinney | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.887 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 174.247 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.963 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 179.267 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 7.9% moving from El Cajon to McKinney β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $816,317 in El Cajon to $481,963 in McKinney, a 7.9% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: El Cajon -2.1%, McKinney -6.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | El Cajon | McKinney |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 43Β°F | 34Β°F |
| July avg high | 86Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 11.6" | β |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 65.1Β°F vs 64.9Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: EL CAJON, CA US, MCKINNEY MUNICIPAL AIRPORT, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | El Cajon | McKinney |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 104,909 | 202,314 |
| Median household income | $66,478 | $120,273 |
| Median age | 35.5 | 36.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.3% | 34.1% |
| Avg household size | 3.09 | 2.86 |
McKinney households earn about 7.9% more than El Cajon at the median β $66,478 β $120,273 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in McKinney 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 McKinney average 94Β°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
How does the job market in McKinney compare to El Cajon?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the McKinney MSA vs $53,090 in the El Cajon MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 1,522,620 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is McKinney more expensive than El Cajon?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in McKinney is 7.9% lower than El Cajon (103.09 vs 111.887, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is McKinney, TX from El Cajon, CA?
The driving distance is 1370 mi and the route typically takes 23h 27m 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 El Cajon to McKinney?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1370 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in El Cajon vs McKinney?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $120,273 in McKinney vs $66,478 in El Cajon β a 80.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in McKinney compared to El Cajon?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $481,963 in McKinney vs $816,317 in El Cajon β a 41.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from El Cajon.
City profiles: El Cajon, CA Β· McKinney, TX.