Moving from San Jose, CA to Laredo, TX
It is 1735 mi and 30h 60m from San Jose to Laredo — 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.
1735 mi · 30h 60m 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, Santa Clara, Salinas |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Jose | Laredo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 110.423 | 86.956 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 156.659 | 80.614 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 211.901 | 59.746 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP drops from 110.423 in San Jose to 86.956 in Laredo, a 21.3% cut on the overall price level (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 21.3% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $1,463,614 to $220,331 moving to Laredo.
YoY change: San Jose -2.5%, Laredo +2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | San Jose | Laredo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62°F | 75°F |
| January avg low | 43°F | 47°F |
| July avg high | 82°F | 100°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 16.1" | 19.7" |
Expect 13.5°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Laredo 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: SAN JOSE, CA US, LAREDO 2, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Jose | Laredo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 990,054 | 255,949 |
| Median household income | $141,565 | $63,264 |
| Median age | 38.1 | 29.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.2% | 15.1% |
| Avg household size | 3.03 | 3.36 |
Expect median household income to fall 21.3% — $141,565 → $63,264 per ACS 5-year estimates (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 (13.5°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 Laredo compare to San Jose?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $35,220 in the Laredo MSA vs $81,470 in the San Jose MSA, on total employment of 104,610 and 1,141,820 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Laredo more expensive than San Jose?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Laredo is 21.3% lower than San Jose (86.956 vs 110.423, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between San Jose and Laredo?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 75.0°F in Laredo vs 61.5°F in San Jose (13.5°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 19.7 in vs 16.1 in.
How much do homes cost in Laredo compared to San Jose?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $220,331 in Laredo vs $1,463,614 in San Jose — a 84.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from San Jose 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 1735 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in San Jose vs Laredo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,264 in Laredo vs $141,565 in San Jose — a 55.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Laredo, TX from San Jose, CA?
The driving distance is 1735 mi and the route typically takes 30h 60m 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 San Jose.
City profiles: San Jose, CA · Laredo, TX.