Moving from San Francisco, CA to Laredo, TX
Cross-country relocations like San Francisco, CA → Laredo, TX cover 1832 mi and about 33h 17m of driving through 4 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1832 mi · 33h 17m by car · CA → AZ → NM → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → AZ → NM → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 5, US 180 |
| Major cities en route | Santa Rosa, Richmond, Vallejo, Fairfield, Berkeley |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Francisco | Laredo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 86.956 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 80.614 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 59.746 | 100.0 |
Cost of living in Laredo is 24.8% lower than San Francisco — the kind of spread that reshuffles a household budget line by line.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Laredo: 24.8% below San Francisco on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: San Francisco +5.0%, Laredo +2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | San Francisco | Laredo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56°F | 75°F |
| January avg low | 46°F | 47°F |
| July avg high | 62°F | 100°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 20.6" | 19.7" |
Major climate step-up: 18.8°F warmer annual average in Laredo vs San Francisco.
Effectively snow-free year in Laredo — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SAN FRANCISCO OCEANSIDE, CA US, LAREDO 2, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Francisco | Laredo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 836,321 | 255,949 |
| Median household income | $141,446 | $63,264 |
| Median age | 39.7 | 29.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 35.1% | 15.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.31 | 3.36 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 24.8% between San Francisco and Laredo (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Laredo MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 15,810 | $34,040 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 15,300 | $35,870 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 10,740 | $23,180 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 9,360 | $28,410 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 9,330 | $22,560 |
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
- 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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Laredo average 100°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 (18.8°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 Laredo compare to San Francisco?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $35,220 in the Laredo MSA vs $72,050 in the San Francisco MSA, on total employment of 104,610 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in San Francisco vs Laredo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,264 in Laredo vs $141,446 in San Francisco — a 55.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from San Francisco to Laredo?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1832 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Laredo, TX from San Francisco, CA?
The driving distance is 1832 mi and the route typically takes 33h 17m via I 10 and I 5. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Laredo more expensive than San Francisco?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Laredo is 24.8% lower than San Francisco (86.956 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between San Francisco and Laredo?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 75.0°F in Laredo vs 56.2°F in San Francisco (18.8°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 19.7 in vs 20.6 in.
How much do homes cost in Laredo compared to San Francisco?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $220,331 in Laredo vs $1,356,662 in San Francisco — a 83.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from San Francisco.
City profiles: San Francisco, CA · Laredo, TX.