Moving from San Mateo, CA to Austin, TX
A 1744 mi cross-country move between San Mateo and Austin is 30h 35m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 4 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1744 mi Β· 30h 35m 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, I 5, US 290 |
| 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
| San Mateo | Austin | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 98.066 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 82.044 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 120.361 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 15.2% moving from San Mateo to Austin β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $1,686,905 in San Mateo to $508,530 in Austin, a 15.2% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: San Mateo +0.6%, Austin -5.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | San Mateo | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 70Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 42Β°F |
| July avg high | 73Β°F | 97Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 19.6" | 36.3" |
Annual temperature rises 11.3Β°F moving to Austin per NOAA normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Austin sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SAN FRANCISCO INTL AP, CA US, AUSTIN-CAMP MABRY, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Mateo | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 103,555 | 967,862 |
| Median household income | $152,669 | $91,461 |
| Median age | 38 | 34.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.4% | 36.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.2 |
Austin households earn about 15.2% less than San Mateo at the median β $152,669 β $91,461 on 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 (11.3Β°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 household income compare in San Mateo vs Austin?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $91,461 in Austin vs $152,669 in San Mateo β a 40.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from San Mateo to Austin?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1744 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Austin more expensive than San Mateo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Austin is 15.2% lower than San Mateo (98.066 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Austin, TX from San Mateo, CA?
The driving distance is 1744 mi and the route typically takes 30h 35m via I 10 and I 5. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Austin compare to San Mateo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,070 in the Austin MSA vs $72,050 in the San Mateo MSA, on total employment of 1,235,440 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Austin compared to San Mateo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $508,530 in Austin vs $1,686,905 in San Mateo β a 69.9% 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 Mateo.
City profiles: San Mateo, CA Β· Austin, TX.