Moving from Jacksonville, FL to Los Angeles, CA
It is 2427 mi and 42h 27m from Jacksonville to Los Angeles — a cross-country move across 8 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
2427 mi · 42h 27m by car · CA → AZ → NM → TX → LA → MS → AL → FL
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → AZ → NM → TX → LA → MS → AL → FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 180, TX 130 |
| Major cities en route | Santa Clarita, Torrance, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Inglewood |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Jacksonville | Los Angeles | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 99.484 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.514 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.24 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 109.777 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 14.2% 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 14.2% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $282,895 to $952,183 moving to Los Angeles.
YoY change: Jacksonville -3.1%, Los Angeles -1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Jacksonville | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71°F | 64°F |
| January avg low | 47°F | 48°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 78°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 47.6" | 14.1" |
Expect 7.6°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Los Angeles 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: JACKSONVILLE NAS, FL US, CULVER CITY, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Jacksonville | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 961,739 | 3,857,897 |
| Median household income | $66,981 | $80,366 |
| Median age | 36.4 | 36.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.6% | 24.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.5 | 2.72 |
Expect median household income to rise 14.2% — $66,981 → $80,366 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Los Angeles 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 Florida 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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Dry climate: Los Angeles sees only 14.1 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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
Is Los Angeles more expensive than Jacksonville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Los Angeles is 14.2% higher than Jacksonville (113.566 vs 99.484, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Los Angeles, CA from Jacksonville, FL?
The driving distance is 2427 mi and the route typically takes 42h 27m via I 10 and US 180. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Jacksonville vs Los Angeles?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $80,366 in Los Angeles vs $66,981 in Jacksonville — a 20.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Jacksonville and Los Angeles?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 63.8°F in Los Angeles vs 71.4°F in Jacksonville (7.6°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 14.1 in vs 47.6 in.
When is the best time to move from Jacksonville to Los Angeles?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2427 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Los Angeles compare to Jacksonville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Los Angeles MSA vs $45,420 in the Jacksonville MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 740,520 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Los Angeles compared to Jacksonville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $952,183 in Los Angeles vs $282,895 in Jacksonville — a 236.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Jacksonville.
City profiles: Jacksonville, FL · Los Angeles, CA.