Moving from San Jose, CA to Tyler, TX
Cross-country relocations like San Jose, CA β Tyler, TX cover 1781 mi and about 31h 29m 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.
1781 mi Β· 31h 29m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 287, 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 | Tyler | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 110.423 | 92.156 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 156.659 | 82.904 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 211.901 | 79.911 | 100.0 |
Tyler is 16.5% cheaper than San Jose overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Tyler is 16.5% below San Jose β $1,463,614 vs $251,563 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: San Jose -2.5%, Tyler -1.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | San Jose | Tyler |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 43Β°F | 39Β°F |
| July avg high | 82Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 16.1" | 47.7" |
Climate warms by 5.0Β°F on the annual average β 61.5Β°F β 66.5Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SAN JOSE, CA US, TYLER, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Jose | Tyler |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 990,054 | 107,718 |
| Median household income | $141,565 | $65,527 |
| Median age | 38.1 | 35.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.2% | 20.4% |
| Avg household size | 3.03 | 2.86 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 16.5% between San Jose and Tyler (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Tyler MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 12,210 | $37,410 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 11,080 | $38,150 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 10,660 | $71,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 10,430 | $26,300 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 10,210 | $30,020 |
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
- 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 Tyler average 93Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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 Tyler more expensive than San Jose?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tyler is 16.5% lower than San Jose (92.156 vs 110.423, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Tyler, TX from San Jose, CA?
The driving distance is 1781 mi and the route typically takes 31h 29m via I 40 and US 287. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from San Jose to Tyler?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1781 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Tyler compare to San Jose?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,080 in the Tyler MSA vs $81,470 in the San Jose MSA, on total employment of 111,520 and 1,141,820 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Tyler compared to San Jose?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $251,563 in Tyler vs $1,463,614 in San Jose β a 82.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in San Jose vs Tyler?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,527 in Tyler vs $141,565 in San Jose β a 53.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from San Jose.
City profiles: San Jose, CA Β· Tyler, TX.