Moving from Reno, NV to Austin, TX
Moving from Reno, NV to Austin, TX is a 1694 mi cross-country relocation — about 31h 2m of driving through 4 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
1694 mi · 31h 2m by car · TX → NM → AZ → NV
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → NM → AZ → NV |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 84, US 95 |
| Major cities en route | Round Rock, Killeen, Lubbock, Albuquerque, Rio Rancho |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Reno | Austin | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 101.014 | 98.066 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.274 | 82.044 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.271 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 123.478 | 120.361 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Austin and Reno is within ±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) — plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Austin is 2.9% below Reno ($508,530 vs $567,857 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Reno -0.4%, Austin -5.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Reno | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55°F | 70°F |
| January avg low | 27°F | 42°F |
| July avg high | 93°F | 97°F |
| Annual snowfall | 29.7" | 0.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 8.1" | 36.3" |
Austin runs 15.5°F warmer on the annual average (54.5°F vs 70.0°F) — a climate shift you will feel in cooling bills and wardrobe alike.
Austin gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: RENO WFO, NV US, AUSTIN-CAMP MABRY, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Reno | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 268,959 | 967,862 |
| Median household income | $78,448 | $91,461 |
| Median age | 37.3 | 34.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.4% | 36.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.4 | 2.2 |
Median household income in Austin is 2.9% above Reno ($78,448 → $91,461, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Austin MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 160,480 | $44,250 |
| Management Occupations | 121,080 | $120,430 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 115,170 | $38,390 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 115,080 | $30,040 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 99,680 | $77,510 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Nevada 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 — 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.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains 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 Austin average 97°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (15.5°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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
How does the job market in Austin compare to Reno?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,070 in the Austin MSA vs $47,540 in the Reno MSA, on total employment of 1,235,440 and 254,100 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Reno and Austin?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.0°F in Austin vs 54.5°F in Reno (15.5°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.2 in vs 29.7 in. Annual precipitation: 36.3 in vs 8.1 in.
Is Austin more expensive than Reno?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Austin is 2.9% lower than Reno (98.066 vs 101.014, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Austin, TX from Reno, NV?
The driving distance is 1694 mi and the route typically takes 31h 2m via I 40 and US 84. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Austin compared to Reno?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $508,530 in Austin vs $567,857 in Reno — a 10.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Reno vs Austin?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $91,461 in Austin vs $78,448 in Reno — a 16.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Reno to Austin?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1694 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Reno.
City profiles: Reno, NV · Austin, TX.