Moving from Orange, CA to Laredo, TX

Relocating 1384 mi from Orange to Laredo is a 24h 33m drive through 4 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.

1384 mi · 24h 33m by car · TX → NM → AZ → CA

COL -23.4% Home values -80.7% Δ +8.9°F annual

Distance & route

Driving
1384 mi
Drive time
24h 33m
States
4
Fuel (25 mpg)
55 gal
Route throughTX → NM → AZ → CA
Primary highwaysI 10, US 67, US 90
Major cities en routeEl Paso, Las Cruces, Tucson, Chandler, Gilbert

Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.

Cost of living

OrangeLaredoU.S. avg
All items (RPP)113.56686.956100.0
Rents158.58980.614100.0
Goods106.62393.757100.0
Services170.43359.746100.0

Laredo sits 23.4% cheaper than Orange on the BEA RPP, one of the larger gaps you will see between U.S. metros.

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.

Housing prices

Orange — typical home
$1,143,788
Laredo — typical home
$220,331
Orange — typical rent
$3,194/mo
Laredo — typical rent
$1,330/mo

Zillow ZHVI drops from $1,143,788 in Orange to $220,331 in Laredo, a 23.4% decrease on the typical home value.

YoY change: Orange +0.5%, Laredo +2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.

Climate

1991–2020 normalsOrangeLaredo
Annual avg temperature66°F75°F
January avg low49°F47°F
July avg high83°F100°F
Annual snowfall0.0"0.1"
Annual precipitation12.5"19.7"

Expect 8.9°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.

Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Laredo sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.

Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SANTA ANA FIRE STN, CA US, LAREDO 2, TX US).

Demographics

ACS 5-year 2023OrangeLaredo
Population138,723255,949
Median household income$116,945$63,264
Median age36.929.7
Bachelor's degree or higher25.9%15.1%
Avg household size3.093.36

Expect median household income to fall 23.4% — $116,945 → $63,264 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.

Jobs & wages

Orange MSA — median wage
$50,490
Laredo MSA — median wage
$35,220
Orange MSA — employment
6,185,570
Laredo MSA — employment
104,610

Top occupations in Laredo MSA

OccupationEmploymentMedian wage
Office and Administrative Support Occupations 15,810 $34,040
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations 15,300 $35,870
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations 10,740 $23,180
Sales and Related Occupations 9,360 $28,410
Healthcare Support Occupations 9,330 $22,560

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.

Moving between California and Texas

California income tax
13.3% top marginal
Texas income tax
no state income tax

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 — 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

  • 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

  • Air conditioning matters: July highs in Laredo average 100°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

What is the climate difference between Orange and Laredo?

On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 75.0°F in Laredo vs 66.1°F in Orange (8.9°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 19.7 in vs 12.5 in.

Is Laredo more expensive than Orange?

Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Laredo is 23.4% lower than Orange (86.956 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.

How does the job market in Laredo compare to Orange?

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $35,220 in the Laredo MSA vs $50,490 in the Orange MSA, on total employment of 104,610 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.

When is the best time to move from Orange to Laredo?

Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1384 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.

How far is Laredo, TX from Orange, CA?

The driving distance is 1384 mi and the route typically takes 24h 33m via I 10 and US 67. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.

How much do homes cost in Laredo compared to Orange?

Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $220,331 in Laredo vs $1,143,788 in Orange — a 80.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.

How does household income compare in Orange vs Laredo?

Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,264 in Laredo vs $116,945 in Orange — a 45.9% 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 Orange.

City profiles: Orange, CA · Laredo, TX.

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