Moving from Killeen, TX to Rancho Cucamonga, CA
The drive from Killeen, TX to Rancho Cucamonga, CA runs 1353 mi β about 23h 26m 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.
1353 mi Β· 23h 26m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 180, US 190 |
| Major cities en route | Anaheim, Fontana, Ontario, Corona, Pomona |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Killeen | Rancho Cucamonga | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.132 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 81.242 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 77.884 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 16.8% pricier overall in Rancho Cucamonga than Killeen on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Rancho Cucamonga typical home at $792,765 is 16.8% above Killeen at $219,957 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Killeen -1.3%, Rancho Cucamonga -0.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Killeen | Rancho Cucamonga |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 96Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 34.8" | 11.6" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 66.6Β°F vs 66.8Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: KILLEEN, TX US, ONTARIO INTL AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Killeen | Rancho Cucamonga |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,144 | 174,693 |
| Median household income | $58,339 | $109,511 |
| Median age | 30 | 37.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.2% | 22.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.61 | 3.01 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 16.8% between Killeen and Rancho Cucamonga (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Rancho Cucamonga MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 267,890 | $47,210 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 177,100 | $47,040 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 167,590 | $34,570 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 136,950 | $36,420 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 115,940 | $32,240 |
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 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
- 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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Rancho Cucamonga average 94Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Rancho Cucamonga sees only 11.6 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 β 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 Rancho Cucamonga more expensive than Killeen?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Rancho Cucamonga is 16.8% higher than Killeen (106.442 vs 91.132, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Rancho Cucamonga compared to Killeen?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $792,765 in Rancho Cucamonga vs $219,957 in Killeen β a 260.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Rancho Cucamonga compare to Killeen?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Rancho Cucamonga MSA vs $42,230 in the Killeen MSA, on total employment of 1,661,860 and 147,020 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Rancho Cucamonga, CA from Killeen, TX?
The driving distance is 1353 mi and the route typically takes 23h 26m via I 10 and US 180. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Killeen vs Rancho Cucamonga?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $109,511 in Rancho Cucamonga vs $58,339 in Killeen β a 87.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Killeen to Rancho Cucamonga?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1353 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Killeen.
City profiles: Killeen, TX Β· Rancho Cucamonga, CA.