Moving from Los Angeles, CA to McKinney, TX
The drive from Los Angeles, CA to McKinney, TX runs 1435 mi β about 25h 17m 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.
1435 mi Β· 25h 17m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 287, I 15 |
| Major cities en route | Torrance, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Santa Clarita, Inglewood |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Los Angeles | McKinney | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 113.566 to 103.09, putting McKinney roughly 9.2% below Los Angeles on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in McKinney: 9.2% below Los Angeles on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Los Angeles -1.4%, McKinney -6.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Los Angeles | McKinney |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 48Β°F | 34Β°F |
| July avg high | 78Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 14.1" | β |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CULVER CITY, CA US, MCKINNEY MUNICIPAL AIRPORT, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Los Angeles | McKinney |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,857,897 | 202,314 |
| Median household income | $80,366 | $120,273 |
| Median age | 36.9 | 36.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.5% | 34.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.86 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 9.2% between Los Angeles and McKinney (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in McKinney MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 523,660 | $44,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 412,270 | $39,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 368,400 | $36,710 |
| Management Occupations | 350,940 | $117,410 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 341,240 | $29,000 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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 McKinney average 94Β°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.
- Register to vote in Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Los Angeles to McKinney?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1435 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Los Angeles vs McKinney?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $120,273 in McKinney vs $80,366 in Los Angeles β a 49.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in McKinney compared to Los Angeles?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $481,963 in McKinney vs $952,183 in Los Angeles β a 49.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is McKinney, TX from Los Angeles, CA?
The driving distance is 1435 mi and the route typically takes 25h 17m via I 40 and US 287. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is McKinney more expensive than Los Angeles?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in McKinney is 9.2% lower than Los Angeles (103.09 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in McKinney compare to Los Angeles?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the McKinney MSA vs $50,490 in the Los Angeles MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 6,185,570 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 Los Angeles.
City profiles: Los Angeles, CA Β· McKinney, TX.