Moving from Phoenix, AZ to College Station, TX
The drive from Phoenix, AZ to College Station, TX runs 1122 mi β about 19h 23m 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.
1122 mi Β· 19h 23m by car Β· AZ β NM β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | AZ β NM β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 180, US 290 |
| Major cities en route | Peoria, Surprise, Glendale, Scottsdale, Goodyear |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Phoenix | College Station | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.316 | 90.951 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.332 | 84.39 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.024 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 121.236 | 75.088 | 100.0 |
College Station is 12.0% cheaper than Phoenix overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in College Station is 12.0% below Phoenix ($349,041 vs $410,169 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Phoenix -2.7%, College Station +0.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Phoenix | College Station |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 73Β°F | 69Β°F |
| January avg low | 44Β°F | 41Β°F |
| July avg high | 104Β°F | 95Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 8.9" | 41.8" |
Annual average temperatures in Phoenix (72.5Β°F) and College Station (69.4Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: PHOENIX DEER VALLEY MUNI AP, AZ US, COLLEGE STN, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Phoenix | College Station |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,624,832 | 122,280 |
| Median household income | $77,041 | $51,776 |
| Median age | 34.8 | 22.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.9% | 29.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.7 | 2.74 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 12.0% between Phoenix and College Station (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in College Station MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 16,920 | $37,150 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 14,880 | $27,430 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 14,280 | $63,400 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 10,460 | $76,630 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 9,930 | $31,090 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Arizona 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
- 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 College Station average 95Β°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 Phoenix to College Station?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1122 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 Phoenix vs College Station?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,776 in College Station vs $77,041 in Phoenix β a 32.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is College Station more expensive than Phoenix?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in College Station is 12.0% lower than Phoenix (90.951 vs 103.316, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in College Station compared to Phoenix?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $349,041 in College Station vs $410,169 in Phoenix β a 14.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in College Station compare to Phoenix?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $42,710 in the College Station MSA vs $48,600 in the Phoenix MSA, on total employment of 128,840 and 2,289,130 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is College Station, TX from Phoenix, AZ?
The driving distance is 1122 mi and the route typically takes 19h 23m via I 10 and US 180. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Phoenix.
City profiles: Phoenix, AZ Β· College Station, TX.