Moving from Santa Ana, CA to Round Rock, TX
The drive from Santa Ana, CA to Round Rock, TX runs 1386 mi — about 24h 1m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
1386 mi · 24h 1m by car · CA → AZ → NM → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → AZ → NM → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 180, US 290 |
| Major cities en route | Long Beach, Huntington Beach, Garden Grove, Torrance, Costa Mesa |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Ana | Round Rock | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 98.066 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 82.044 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 120.361 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Round Rock are 13.6% below Santa Ana — a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Round Rock typical home at $407,077 is 13.6% under Santa Ana at $866,066 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Santa Ana -0.3%, Round Rock -5.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
Climate normals not available (no NOAA station within range for one city).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Ana | Round Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 311,639 | 124,288 |
| Median household income | $88,354 | $97,187 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 36.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.8% | 28.1% |
| Avg household size | 3.91 | 2.66 |
Income steps up 13.6%: $88,354 in Santa Ana vs $97,187 in Round Rock.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Round Rock 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 — 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
- 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
When is the best time to move from Santa Ana to Round Rock?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1386 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Round Rock, TX from Santa Ana, CA?
The driving distance is 1386 mi and the route typically takes 24h 1m via I 10 and US 180. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Santa Ana vs Round Rock?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $97,187 in Round Rock vs $88,354 in Santa Ana — a 10.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Round Rock compared to Santa Ana?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $407,077 in Round Rock vs $866,066 in Santa Ana — a 53.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Round Rock more expensive than Santa Ana?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Round Rock is 13.6% lower than Santa Ana (98.066 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Round Rock compare to Santa Ana?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,070 in the Round Rock MSA vs $50,490 in the Santa Ana MSA, on total employment of 1,235,440 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Santa Ana.
City profiles: Santa Ana, CA · Round Rock, TX.