Moving from El Paso, TX to Austin, TX
It is 579 mi between El Paso and Austin — roughly 9h 46m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 1 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.
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
| El Paso | Austin | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.912 | 98.066 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.585 | 82.044 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.248 | 120.361 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 9.1% higher cost of living — rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 9.1% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $234,775 to $508,530 moving to Austin.
YoY change: El Paso +1.4%, Austin -5.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | El Paso | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 70°F |
| January avg low | 35°F | 42°F |
| July avg high | 96°F | 97°F |
| Annual snowfall | 2.8" | 0.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 8.8" | 36.3" |
Annual average temperatures in El Paso (66.2°F) and Austin (70.0°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Austin gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: EL PASO INTL AP, TX US, AUSTIN-CAMP MABRY, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | El Paso | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 967,862 |
| Median household income | $58,734 | $91,461 |
| Median age | 34.1 | 34.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.3% | 36.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.8 | 2.2 |
Austin households earn about 9.1% more than El Paso at the median — $58,734 → $91,461 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Austin MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 160,480 | $44,250 |
| Management Occupations | 121,080 | $120,430 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 115,170 | $38,390 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 115,080 | $30,040 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 99,680 | $77,510 |
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 Austin average 97°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.
Frequently asked
Is Austin more expensive than El Paso?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Austin is 9.1% higher than El Paso (98.066 vs 89.912, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from El Paso to Austin?
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.
How does the job market in Austin compare to El Paso?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,070 in the Austin MSA vs $36,000 in the El Paso MSA, on total employment of 1,235,440 and 323,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in El Paso vs Austin?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $91,461 in Austin vs $58,734 in El Paso — a 55.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Austin, TX from El Paso, 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.
What is the climate difference between El Paso and Austin?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.0°F in Austin vs 66.2°F in El Paso (3.8°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.2 in vs 2.8 in. Annual precipitation: 36.3 in vs 8.8 in.
How much do homes cost in Austin compared to El Paso?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $508,530 in Austin vs $234,775 in El Paso — a 116.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from El Paso.
City profiles: El Paso, TX · Austin, TX.