Moving from Irving, TX to El Paso, TX
The drive from Irving, TX to El Paso, TX runs 632 mi — about 10h 41m 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.
632 mi · 10h 41m by car · TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, I 10, US 180 |
| Major cities en route | Odessa, Midland, Abilene, Fort Worth, Arlington |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Irving | El Paso | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 89.912 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 82.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 71.248 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 103.09 to 89.912, putting El Paso roughly 12.8% below Irving on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in El Paso: 12.8% below Irving on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Irving -2.6%, El Paso +1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Irving | El Paso |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 36°F | 35°F |
| July avg high | 96°F | 96°F |
| Annual snowfall | 1.6" | 2.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.0" | 8.8" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Light snow year: El Paso gets around 2.8 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: DALLAS FT WORTH AP, TX US, EL PASO INTL AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Irving | El Paso |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 255,036 | 678,147 |
| Median household income | $79,641 | $58,734 |
| Median age | 32.8 | 34.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.8% | 18.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.71 | 2.8 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 12.8% between Irving and El Paso (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in El Paso MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 44,500 | $35,550 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 34,790 | $23,150 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 32,160 | $33,850 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 31,050 | $28,800 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 23,040 | $61,670 |
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 El Paso average 96°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: El Paso sees only 8.8 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.
Frequently asked
Is El Paso more expensive than Irving?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in El Paso is 12.8% lower than Irving (89.912 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Irving and El Paso?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.2°F in El Paso vs 66.6°F in Irving (0.4°F colder). Annual snowfall: 2.8 in vs 1.6 in. Annual precipitation: 8.8 in vs 37.0 in.
How much do homes cost in El Paso compared to Irving?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $234,775 in El Paso vs $341,503 in Irving — a 31.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in El Paso compare to Irving?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $36,000 in the El Paso MSA vs $48,440 in the Irving MSA, on total employment of 323,310 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Irving to El Paso?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 632 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is El Paso, TX from Irving, TX?
The driving distance is 632 mi and the route typically takes 10h 41m via I 20 and I 10. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Irving vs El Paso?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,734 in El Paso vs $79,641 in Irving — a 26.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Irving.
City profiles: Irving, TX · El Paso, TX.