Moving from Irving, TX to El Monte, CA
The drive from Irving, TX to El Monte, CA runs 1419 mi — about 24h 25m 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.
1419 mi · 24h 25m by car · TX → NM → AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → NM → AZ → 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
| Irving | El Monte | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 10.2% pricier overall in El Monte than Irving on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: El Monte typical home at $765,444 is 10.2% above Irving at $341,503 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Irving -2.6%, El Monte +0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Irving | El Monte |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 36°F | 46°F |
| July avg high | 96°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 1.6" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.0" | 15.7" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 66.6°F vs 66.0°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: El Monte sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: DALLAS FT WORTH AP, TX US, SAN GABRIEL FIRE DEPT, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Irving | El Monte |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 255,036 | 107,066 |
| Median household income | $79,641 | $64,484 |
| Median age | 32.8 | 38.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.8% | 11.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.71 | 3.62 |
Income steps down 10.2%: $79,641 in Irving vs $64,484 in El Monte.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in El Monte MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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 — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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.
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
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October — register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- 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 California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Irving vs El Monte?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $64,484 in El Monte vs $79,641 in Irving — a 19.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Irving and El Monte?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.0°F in El Monte vs 66.6°F in Irving (0.6°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 1.6 in. Annual precipitation: 15.7 in vs 37.0 in.
How far is El Monte, CA from Irving, TX?
The driving distance is 1419 mi and the route typically takes 24h 25m via I 10 and I 20. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in El Monte compared to Irving?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $765,444 in El Monte vs $341,503 in Irving — a 124.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Irving to El Monte?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1419 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is El Monte more expensive than Irving?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in El Monte is 10.2% higher than Irving (113.566 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in El Monte compare to Irving?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the El Monte MSA vs $48,440 in the Irving MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Irving.
City profiles: Irving, TX · El Monte, CA.