Moving from Round Rock, TX to Santa Clara, CA
A 1741 mi cross-country move between Round Rock and Santa Clara is 30h 37m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 4 states. Nearly every household line — rent, taxes, climate, commute — usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1741 mi · 30h 37m by car · CA → AZ → NM → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → AZ → NM → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 180, I 5 |
| Major cities en route | Fremont, Hayward, Sunnyvale, San Mateo, San Jose |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Round Rock | Santa Clara | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.066 | 110.423 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.044 | 156.659 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 120.361 | 211.901 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 12.6% above Round Rock — 98.066 → 110.423 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
12.6% jump on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Round Rock -5.9%, Santa Clara -1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
Climate normals not available (no NOAA station within range for one city).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Round Rock | Santa Clara |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 124,288 | 129,239 |
| Median household income | $97,187 | $173,670 |
| Median age | 36.2 | 34.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.1% | 31.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 2.66 |
Santa Clara households earn about 12.6% more than Round Rock at the median — $97,187 → $173,670 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Santa Clara MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Computer and Mathematical Occupations | 161,790 | $175,110 |
| Management Occupations | 119,300 | $206,650 |
| Software Developers | 96,590 | $199,100 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 93,740 | $59,850 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 90,500 | $120,970 |
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 — 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
- 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
- Dry climate: Santa Clara sees only 13.5 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October — 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 Santa Clara more expensive than Round Rock?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Santa Clara is 12.6% higher than Round Rock (110.423 vs 98.066, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Santa Clara compare to Round Rock?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $81,470 in the Santa Clara MSA vs $50,070 in the Round Rock MSA, on total employment of 1,141,820 and 1,235,440 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Santa Clara compared to Round Rock?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,782,192 in Santa Clara vs $407,077 in Round Rock — a 337.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Round Rock to Santa Clara?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1741 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Round Rock vs Santa Clara?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $173,670 in Santa Clara vs $97,187 in Round Rock — a 78.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Santa Clara, CA from Round Rock, TX?
The driving distance is 1741 mi and the route typically takes 30h 37m via I 10 and US 180. The trip crosses 4 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 Round Rock.
City profiles: Round Rock, TX · Santa Clara, CA.