Destination guide
Moving from California to Texas
Large job markets, more space for the money, and no state personal income tax.
Overview
Texas has been one of the most common destinations for Californians for years. Its major metros — Austin, Dallas–Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio — each have a distinct personality, and most offer far more home for the money than coastal California.
The trade-offs are real: summers are long and hot, property taxes are higher than many people expect, and the metros are spread out and car-dependent. This guide walks through what to weigh before you go.
Why Californians move to Texas
- Lower median home prices than most California metros
- No state personal income tax
- Strong hiring in tech, energy, healthcare and logistics
- Several major airports with direct flights back to California
Cost of living vs California
- Housing is typically the biggest difference.
- Everyday costs such as groceries and utilities tend to be somewhat lower, though summer electricity bills can be high.
- Car insurance and vehicle costs vary widely by metro.
Taxes
- Texas does not levy a state personal income tax on wages.
- Property taxes are among the higher in the country and fund much of local government.
- Combined state and local sales tax can reach.
General information only — tax rules change. Confirm with the state revenue department or a tax professional.
Typical moving costs from California to Texas
| Home size | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | |
| 2–3 bedrooms | |
| 4+ bedrooms |
Los Angeles to Dallas is roughly 1,400 miles; the Bay Area to Austin is closer to 1,750. Want a quick personal estimate? Try our moving cost calculator, or read how much it costs to move out of California.
Timeline
Most California to Texas moves take roughly 3–8 days from pickup to delivery, depending on distance and whether your shipment shares a truck. Delivery windows are set by the carrier — get yours in writing before you sign.
Best cities in Texas for Californians
Austin
Tech jobs, live music, outdoor life — and the highest housing costs in Texas.
Dallas–Fort Worth
A huge, diverse job market with many suburbs to choose from.
Houston
Energy and medical industries, international food scene, no zoning.
San Antonio
A slower pace, rich history and comparatively affordable housing.
Life in Texas for Californians
The move is one day; living here is the rest. Here's an honest look at what changes — with links to our in-depth Life After California guides.
State income tax on wages
Texas does not levy a state personal income tax on wages, salaries, or most other personal income. For Californians used to a top marginal state rate, this is usually the single biggest ongoing line-item change in a move, though the benefit is larger for higher earners than for lower-income households.
There is no state withholding to set up with a Texas employer, and no state income tax return to file. If you keep California-source income (rental property, a business, deferred compensation) after you leave, you may still owe California tax on that income even as a nonresident — see our guide on establishing residency in a new state and the California exit tax guide for how California treats departing residents.
Taxes on retirement income
Because Texas has no personal income tax, Social Security benefits, pensions, and withdrawals from IRAs and 401(k)s are not taxed at the state level. This differs from California, which taxes most retirement income as ordinary income for residents.
Retirees should still budget for property taxes, which fund schools and local services in the absence of an income tax, and for the state's sales tax. Our retiring out of California guide walks through how to compare total retirement-income tax exposure across states, not just the headline income-tax rate.
Property tax and home insurance
Texas property taxes are among the higher in the country in effective rate terms, even though there's no income tax to offset. Rates and appraised values vary significantly by county and school district, so get a specific estimate for any address you're considering before you assume your total housing cost.
Homeowners insurance costs vary by region: coastal areas near Houston and the Gulf face hurricane and wind/hail exposure, while much of the state (especially North and Central Texas) sees hail and severe thunderstorm risk that has pushed insurance premiums up in recent years. Ask any insurer specifically about windstorm/hail deductibles, which are often separate and percentage-based rather than flat dollar amounts.
If you're selling a California home to fund a Texas purchase, see selling your California home for timing and tax considerations before you list.
Driver's license and vehicle registration
New Texas residents are generally required to obtain a Texas driver's license and register their vehicle within a set window after establishing residency. You'll typically need proof of Texas residency, your out-of-state title, and to pass a vehicle safety/emissions check in some counties.
Texas also requires a vehicle inspection and proof of insurance meeting state minimums before registration is issued. See car, license and registration in a new state for a general checklist, then confirm specifics with the Texas DPS and your county tax assessor-collector, who handles vehicle registration locally.
Schools and enrolling kids
Texas public schools are organized by independent school district (ISD), and which district you're zoned for depends on your exact address — this can matter as much as the city you choose. Enrolling generally requires proof of residency (a lease or closing documents plus a utility bill), the child's birth certificate, immunization records, and prior school records.
Texas has relatively broad school choice options compared with California, including charter schools and, in some districts, open transfer policies, though availability varies by district. Our moving with kids guide covers how to time enrollment and transfer records with minimal disruption to the school year.
Healthcare access
Healthcare access in Texas varies widely by geography. Major metros (Houston, Dallas, Austin, San Antonio) have large hospital systems and specialist availability comparable to California cities, but rural Texas has fewer hospitals and longer drive times to specialty care, and some rural hospitals have closed in recent years.
Texas did not expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, so income-based coverage eligibility differs from California's. If you'll buy your own coverage, Texas uses the federal Healthcare.gov marketplace rather than a state-run exchange. See health insurance when leaving California for how to time a coverage switch around your move date.
Job market and remote work
Texas has large, diverse job markets in Austin (tech), Dallas–Fort Worth (finance, corporate headquarters, logistics), Houston (energy, medical, shipping) and San Antonio (military, healthcare, tourism). Several major California-based employers have added or relocated operations to Texas over the past decade.
Remote work is generally well-supported with major airports in each metro offering frequent flights back to California, though the lack of state income tax does not change federal tax treatment of remote pay. See remote work and leaving California for how your employer's withholding and your own tax residency need to be updated.
Climate and natural-hazard risks
Texas climate varies by region: Gulf Coast areas (Houston, Galveston) face hurricane season roughly June through November; North and Central Texas see severe thunderstorms, hail, and some tornado risk, especially in spring; West Texas is arid. Summers are long and hot statewide, with extended stretches above 95–100°F common in most of the state.
Winter storms, while less frequent, have caused significant statewide power and water disruptions in past years, most notably in February 2021.
Culture and lifestyle shift
Texas culture is distinct from California's in pace, politics, and social norms, and varies a great deal by city — Austin tends to feel more similar to coastal California culturally, while much of the rest of the state leans more traditional and car-centric. Texas has no state income tax partly because it relies more heavily on property and sales tax, which shapes local priorities around development and zoning (Houston famously has no formal zoning code).
Many Californians describe an adjustment period around driving distances, summer heat, and a more spread-out, suburban built environment even in major metros. See best states to move to from California for how Texas compares with other common destinations on lifestyle fit.
Pros
- No state personal income tax on wages or retirement income
- Large, diverse metro job markets with strong hiring in tech, energy, and healthcare
- More home for the money than most California metros
- Short list of major airports with frequent direct flights back to California
- Relatively broad school choice options in many districts
Cons
- Higher effective property tax rates than California in most counties
- Long, hot summers and growing hail/wind insurance costs in many regions
- Hurricane exposure along the Gulf Coast and tornado/severe storm risk inland
- Rural healthcare access and hospital availability lag major metros
- Spread-out, car-dependent metros even in urban cores
Step-by-step checklist
- Visit Texas and narrow down neighborhoods.
- Build a budget that includes moving costs, deposits and travel.
- Request written estimates from at least three licensed interstate movers.
- Verify each mover's USDOT and MC numbers on FMCSA — see our guide to avoiding moving scams.
- Book your mover 6–8 weeks ahead; earlier for summer.
- Arrange car shipping if you aren't driving.
- Set up utilities and internet at your new Texas home.
- After arriving, get a Texas driver's license and register your vehicles.
- Keep records of your move date for your final California tax return — see our California residency and exit tax guide.
Prefer a printable version? Use our moving checklist.
Frequently asked questions
Sources
- Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
- Texas Department of Public Safety (driver's licenses)
- Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (vehicle registration)
- Texas Department of Insurance
- Texas Education Agency
- Texas Health and Human Services
General information, not legal, tax or financial advice.
Go deeper
Leaving California series
- Decide
- Plan
- Prepare
- Move
- Land
- Settle
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