Moving from Visalia, CA to Laredo, TX
Cross-country relocations like Visalia, CA → Laredo, TX cover 1583 mi and about 28h 12m 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.
1583 mi · 28h 12m by car · TX → NM → AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → NM → AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 67, US 90 |
| Major cities en route | El Paso, Las Cruces, Tucson, Chandler, Gilbert |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Visalia | Laredo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 99.825 | 86.956 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 156.446 | 80.614 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 84.053 | 59.746 | 100.0 |
Laredo is 12.9% cheaper than Visalia overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Laredo is 12.9% below Visalia — $396,184 vs $220,331 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Visalia +0.8%, Laredo +2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Visalia | Laredo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63°F | 75°F |
| January avg low | 38°F | 47°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 100°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 10.3" | 19.7" |
Climate warms by 11.9°F on the annual average — 63.1°F → 75.0°F.
Laredo gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: VISALIA, CA US, LAREDO 2, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Visalia | Laredo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 142,649 | 255,949 |
| Median household income | $79,952 | $63,264 |
| Median age | 33.5 | 29.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 14.3% | 15.1% |
| Avg household size | 3.07 | 3.36 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 12.9% between Visalia and Laredo (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Laredo MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 15,810 | $34,040 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 15,300 | $35,870 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 10,740 | $23,180 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 9,360 | $28,410 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 9,330 | $22,560 |
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
- 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 Laredo average 100°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 (11.9°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 far is Laredo, TX from Visalia, CA?
The driving distance is 1583 mi and the route typically takes 28h 12m via I 10 and US 67. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Laredo compare to Visalia?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $35,220 in the Laredo MSA vs $42,350 in the Visalia MSA, on total employment of 104,610 and 168,730 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Laredo more expensive than Visalia?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Laredo is 12.9% lower than Visalia (86.956 vs 99.825, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Laredo compared to Visalia?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $220,331 in Laredo vs $396,184 in Visalia — a 44.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Visalia and Laredo?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 75.0°F in Laredo vs 63.1°F in Visalia (11.9°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 0.1 in. Annual precipitation: 19.7 in vs 10.3 in.
How does household income compare in Visalia vs Laredo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,264 in Laredo vs $79,952 in Visalia — a 20.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Visalia to Laredo?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1583 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Visalia.
City profiles: Visalia, CA · Laredo, TX.