Moving from Santa Clara, CA to Frisco, TX
It is 1680 mi and 29h 53m from Santa Clara to Frisco β 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.
1680 mi Β· 29h 53m by car Β· TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 287, CA 58 |
| Major cities en route | Dallas, Plano, Garland, Mckinney, Richardson |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Clara | Frisco | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 110.423 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 156.659 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 211.901 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Expect about 6.6% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Frisco at 103.09 vs Santa Clara at 110.423.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 6.6% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $1,782,192 to $656,758 moving to Frisco.
YoY change: Santa Clara -1.1%, Frisco -5.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Santa Clara | Frisco |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 42Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 13.5" | 41.9" |
Expect 5.1Β°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SAN JOSE, CA US, RICHARDSON, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Clara | Frisco |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,239 | 210,238 |
| Median household income | $173,670 | $146,158 |
| Median age | 34.5 | 38.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.4% | 38.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 2.84 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 6.6% lower in Frisco than Santa Clara.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Frisco MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 523,660 | $44,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 412,270 | $39,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 368,400 | $36,710 |
| Management Occupations | 350,940 | $117,410 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 341,240 | $29,000 |
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 Frisco average 94Β°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
How far is Frisco, TX from Santa Clara, CA?
The driving distance is 1680 mi and the route typically takes 29h 53m via I 40 and US 287. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Frisco compare to Santa Clara?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Frisco MSA vs $81,470 in the Santa Clara MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 1,141,820 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Santa Clara to Frisco?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1680 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Frisco compared to Santa Clara?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $656,758 in Frisco vs $1,782,192 in Santa Clara β a 63.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Frisco more expensive than Santa Clara?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Frisco is 6.6% lower than Santa Clara (103.09 vs 110.423, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Santa Clara vs Frisco?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $146,158 in Frisco vs $173,670 in Santa Clara β a 15.8% 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 Santa Clara.
City profiles: Santa Clara, CA Β· Frisco, TX.