Moving from Spokane Valley, WA to College Station, TX
It is 2008 mi and 34h 53m from Spokane Valley to College Station β a cross-country move across 7 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.
2008 mi Β· 34h 53m by car Β· TX β OK β CO β WY β MT β ID β WA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β OK β CO β WY β MT β ID β WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 287, I 90, I 25 |
| Major cities en route | Waco, Arlington, Grand Prairie, Fort Worth, Irving |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Spokane Valley | College Station | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.346 | 90.951 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 91.196 | 84.39 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.028 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 97.059 | 75.088 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 9.4% moving from Spokane Valley to College Station β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes in College Station run about 9.4% cheaper β ZHVI $408,888 β $349,041 (2026-03).
YoY change: Spokane Valley +0.7%, College Station +0.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Spokane Valley | College Station |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 69Β°F |
| January avg low | 26Β°F | 41Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 95Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 17.4" | 41.8" |
Annual average temperature jumps 19.6Β°F β 49.8Β°F in Spokane Valley vs 69.4Β°F in College Station, per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SPOKANE FELTS FLD, WA US, COLLEGE STN, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Spokane Valley | College Station |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,460 | 122,280 |
| Median household income | $70,722 | $51,776 |
| Median age | 37.6 | 22.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.7% | 29.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.47 | 2.74 |
Expect median household income to fall 9.4% β $70,722 β $51,776 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in College Station MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 16,920 | $37,150 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 14,880 | $27,430 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 14,280 | $63,400 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 10,460 | $76,630 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 9,930 | $31,090 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Washington 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
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts before departure.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- Montana interstates can close without notice in winter storms β check MDT 511 before entering the state November through April.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in College Station average 95Β°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 (19.6Β°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 College Station compare to Spokane Valley?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $42,710 in the College Station MSA vs $48,920 in the Spokane Valley MSA, on total employment of 128,840 and 255,160 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Spokane Valley vs College Station?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,776 in College Station vs $70,722 in Spokane Valley β a 26.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in College Station compared to Spokane Valley?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $349,041 in College Station vs $408,888 in Spokane Valley β a 14.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Spokane Valley to College Station?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2008 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is College Station more expensive than Spokane Valley?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in College Station is 9.4% lower than Spokane Valley (90.951 vs 100.346, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is College Station, TX from Spokane Valley, WA?
The driving distance is 2008 mi and the route typically takes 34h 53m via US 287 and I 90. The trip crosses 7 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 Spokane Valley.
City profiles: Spokane Valley, WA Β· College Station, TX.