Moving from Salinas, CA to Austin, TX
It is 1680 mi and 29h 33m from Salinas to Austin β a cross-country move across 4 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
1680 mi Β· 29h 33m by car Β· TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 290, US 95 |
| Major cities en route | Round Rock, El Paso, Las Cruces, Tucson, Mesa |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Salinas | Austin | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 109.042 | 98.066 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 154.157 | 82.044 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 145.669 | 120.361 | 100.0 |
Expect about 10.1% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Austin at 98.066 vs Salinas at 109.042.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 10.1% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $747,758 to $508,530 moving to Austin.
YoY change: Salinas -1.1%, Austin -5.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Salinas | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58Β°F | 70Β°F |
| January avg low | 42Β°F | 42Β°F |
| July avg high | 71Β°F | 97Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.6" | 36.3" |
Expect 11.9Β°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Austin gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SALINAS MUNICIPAL AP, CA US, AUSTIN-CAMP MABRY, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Salinas | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 161,993 | 967,862 |
| Median household income | $89,150 | $91,461 |
| Median age | 32.1 | 34.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 11.4% | 36.2% |
| Avg household size | 3.71 | 2.2 |
Median household incomes in Salinas ($89,150) and Austin ($91,461) are within a few percent (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 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
- 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 Austin average 97Β°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 (11.9Β°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
Is Austin more expensive than Salinas?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Austin is 10.1% lower than Salinas (98.066 vs 109.042, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Salinas vs Austin?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $91,461 in Austin vs $89,150 in Salinas β a 2.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Austin compare to Salinas?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,070 in the Austin MSA vs $44,570 in the Salinas MSA, on total employment of 1,235,440 and 181,410 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Austin compared to Salinas?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $508,530 in Austin vs $747,758 in Salinas β a 32.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Austin, TX from Salinas, CA?
The driving distance is 1680 mi and the route typically takes 29h 33m via I 10 and US 290. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Salinas to Austin?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1680 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β 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 Salinas.
City profiles: Salinas, CA Β· Austin, TX.