Moving from McKinney, TX to Berkeley, CA
A 1715 mi cross-country move between McKinney and Berkeley is 30h 26m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 4 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1715 mi Β· 30h 26m by car Β· TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 287, CA 58 |
| Major cities en route | Dallas, Plano, Garland, Richardson, Allen |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| McKinney | Berkeley | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Berkeley runs about 12.1% more expensive overall than McKinney β RPP 103.09 β 115.613.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $481,963 in McKinney to $1,443,684 in Berkeley, a 12.1% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: McKinney -6.9%, Berkeley -1.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | McKinney | Berkeley |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 59Β°F |
| January avg low | 34Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 74Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | β | 26.1" |
Annual temperature drops 6.4Β°F moving to Berkeley per NOAA normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Berkeley sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MCKINNEY MUNICIPAL AIRPORT, TX US, BERKELEY, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | McKinney | Berkeley |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,314 | 120,223 |
| Median household income | $120,273 | $108,558 |
| Median age | 36.7 | 32.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 34.1% | 33.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.86 | 2.57 |
Households in Berkeley earn about 12.1% less at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Berkeley MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 244,380 | $59,630 |
| Management Occupations | 237,070 | $171,350 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 211,250 | $104,950 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 194,040 | $39,200 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 183,930 | $49,390 |
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
- 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 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 Berkeley more expensive than McKinney?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Berkeley is 12.1% higher than McKinney (115.613 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from McKinney to Berkeley?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1715 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 McKinney vs Berkeley?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $108,558 in Berkeley vs $120,273 in McKinney β a 9.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Berkeley, CA from McKinney, TX?
The driving distance is 1715 mi and the route typically takes 30h 26m via I 40 and US 287. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Berkeley compared to McKinney?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,443,684 in Berkeley vs $481,963 in McKinney β a 199.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Berkeley compare to McKinney?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Berkeley MSA vs $48,440 in the McKinney MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 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 McKinney.
City profiles: McKinney, TX Β· Berkeley, CA.