Moving from Sacramento, CA to El Paso, TX
The drive from Sacramento, CA to El Paso, TX runs 1187 mi — about 21h 16m 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.
1187 mi · 21h 16m by car · TX → NM → AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → NM → AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 5, US 95 |
| Major cities en route | Las Cruces, Tucson, Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Sacramento | El Paso | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.67 | 89.912 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 151.29 | 82.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 130.23 | 71.248 | 100.0 |
El Paso is 15.7% cheaper than Sacramento overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in El Paso is 15.7% below Sacramento — $479,766 vs $234,775 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Sacramento -2.5%, El Paso +1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Sacramento | El Paso |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 41°F | 35°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 96°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 2.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 19.2" | 8.8" |
Annual average temperatures in Sacramento (63.4°F) and El Paso (66.2°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
El Paso averages 2.8 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SACRAMENTO 5 ESE, CA US, EL PASO INTL AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Sacramento | El Paso |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 524,802 | 678,147 |
| Median household income | $83,753 | $58,734 |
| Median age | 35.7 | 34.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.9% | 18.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.63 | 2.8 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 15.7% between Sacramento and El Paso (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in El Paso MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 44,500 | $35,550 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 34,790 | $23,150 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 32,160 | $33,850 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 31,050 | $28,800 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 23,040 | $61,670 |
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 — 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 El Paso average 96°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: El Paso sees only 8.8 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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 Sacramento to El Paso?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1187 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Sacramento vs El Paso?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,734 in El Paso vs $83,753 in Sacramento — a 29.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in El Paso compared to Sacramento?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $234,775 in El Paso vs $479,766 in Sacramento — a 51.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is El Paso more expensive than Sacramento?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in El Paso is 15.7% lower than Sacramento (89.912 vs 106.67, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in El Paso compare to Sacramento?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $36,000 in the El Paso MSA vs $55,290 in the Sacramento MSA, on total employment of 323,310 and 1,048,170 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is El Paso, TX from Sacramento, CA?
The driving distance is 1187 mi and the route typically takes 21h 16m via I 10 and I 5. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Sacramento and El Paso?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.2°F in El Paso vs 63.4°F in Sacramento (2.8°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 2.8 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 8.8 in vs 19.2 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Sacramento.
City profiles: Sacramento, CA · El Paso, TX.