Moving from Palmdale, CA to Denton, TX
A move from Palmdale, CA to Denton, TX covers 1363 mi and around 23h 54m of driving through 4 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
1363 mi Β· 23h 54m 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, US 82 |
| Major cities en route | Santa Clarita, Lancaster, Glendale, Pasadena, Rancho Cucamonga |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Palmdale | Denton | 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 Denton roughly 9.2% below Palmdale on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Denton: 9.2% below Palmdale on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Palmdale -1.3%, Denton -4.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Palmdale | Denton |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 35Β°F | 34Β°F |
| July avg high | 98Β°F | 96Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 7.3" | 38.4" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: PALMDALE, CA US, DENTON 2 SE, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Palmdale | Denton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 165,487 | 146,987 |
| Median household income | $81,151 | $73,719 |
| Median age | 33.2 | 31 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 11.4% | 25.9% |
| Avg household size | 3.56 | 2.72 |
Median household income in Denton is 9.2% below Palmdale ($81,151 β $73,719, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Denton 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 Denton average 96Β°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 Palmdale to Denton?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1363 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Denton compared to Palmdale?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $354,135 in Denton vs $501,257 in Palmdale β a 29.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Denton, TX from Palmdale, CA?
The driving distance is 1363 mi and the route typically takes 23h 54m via I 40 and US 287. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Denton compare to Palmdale?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Denton MSA vs $50,490 in the Palmdale 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.
How does household income compare in Palmdale vs Denton?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $73,719 in Denton vs $81,151 in Palmdale β a 9.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Denton more expensive than Palmdale?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Denton is 9.2% lower than Palmdale (103.09 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Palmdale.
City profiles: Palmdale, CA Β· Denton, TX.