Moving from West Covina, CA to El Paso, TX
Relocating 785 mi from West Covina to El Paso is a 13h 54m drive through 4 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
785 mi · 13h 54m by car · TX → NM → AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → NM → AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 95, LOOP 375 |
| Major cities en route | Las Cruces, Tucson, Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| West Covina | El Paso | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 89.912 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 82.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 71.248 | 100.0 |
You are looking at a 20.8% cheaper overall price level — 113.566 → 89.912 on the latest BEA Regional Price Parities.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
20.8% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: West Covina +0.7%, El Paso +1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | West Covina | El Paso |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 43°F | 35°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 96°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 2.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 14.5" | 8.8" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Light snow year: El Paso gets around 2.8 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: POMONA/FAIRPLEX, CA US, EL PASO INTL AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | West Covina | El Paso |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,436 | 678,147 |
| Median household income | $98,570 | $58,734 |
| Median age | 40.1 | 34.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.4% | 18.3% |
| Avg household size | 3.3 | 2.8 |
Expect median household income to fall 20.8% — $98,570 → $58,734 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in El Paso MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 44,500 | $35,550 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 34,790 | $23,150 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 32,160 | $33,850 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 31,050 | $28,800 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 23,040 | $61,670 |
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 El Paso average 96°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: El Paso sees only 8.8 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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
What is the climate difference between West Covina and El Paso?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.2°F in El Paso vs 65.1°F in West Covina (1.1°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 2.8 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 8.8 in vs 14.5 in.
How does the job market in El Paso compare to West Covina?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $36,000 in the El Paso MSA vs $50,490 in the West Covina MSA, on total employment of 323,310 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from West Covina to El Paso?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 785 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is El Paso more expensive than West Covina?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in El Paso is 20.8% lower than West Covina (89.912 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in West Covina vs El Paso?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,734 in El Paso vs $98,570 in West Covina — a 40.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is El Paso, TX from West Covina, CA?
The driving distance is 785 mi and the route typically takes 13h 54m via I 10 and US 95. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in El Paso compared to West Covina?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $234,775 in El Paso vs $852,373 in West Covina — a 72.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from West Covina.
City profiles: West Covina, CA · El Paso, TX.