Moving from Ann Arbor, MI to Houston, TX
A move from Ann Arbor, MI to Houston, TX covers 1291 mi and around 23h 24m of driving through 6 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
1291 mi · 23h 24m by car · TX → AR → MO → IL → IN → MI
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → AR → MO → IL → IN → MI |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 57, US 59, I 94 |
| Major cities en route | Pearland, Sugar Land, Pasadena, League City, Little Rock |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Ann Arbor | Houston | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.88 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 98.184 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.711 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.3 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Houston and Ann Arbor is within ±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) — plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Houston is 2.2% below Ann Arbor — $523,391 vs $264,336 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Ann Arbor +3.2%, Houston -2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Ann Arbor | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 48°F | 71°F |
| January avg low | 16°F | 44°F |
| July avg high | 84°F | 93°F |
| Annual snowfall | 59.3" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.9" | 54.1" |
Houston runs 22.4°F warmer on the annual average (48.2°F vs 70.6°F) — a climate shift you will feel in cooling bills and wardrobe alike.
Houston 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: ANN ARBOR SE, MI US, HOUSTON-PORT, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Ann Arbor | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,179 | 2,300,419 |
| Median household income | $81,089 | $62,894 |
| Median age | 27.7 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30.5% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.43 | 2.51 |
Median household income in Houston is 2.2% below Ann Arbor ($81,089 vs $62,894, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Houston MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 387,430 | $41,570 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 305,780 | $39,450 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 288,170 | $27,490 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 269,160 | $35,450 |
| Management Occupations | 268,670 | $109,460 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Michigan 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
- Lake-effect snow bands across the western Upper Peninsula can require chains on US-2.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Houston average 93°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Houston averages 54.1 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (22.4°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 Houston compare to Ann Arbor?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Houston MSA vs $49,690 in the Ann Arbor MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 and 215,300 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Ann Arbor vs Houston?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,894 in Houston vs $81,089 in Ann Arbor — a 22.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Houston more expensive than Ann Arbor?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Houston is 2.2% lower than Ann Arbor (98.629 vs 100.88, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Ann Arbor and Houston?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.6°F in Houston vs 48.2°F in Ann Arbor (22.4°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 59.3 in. Annual precipitation: 54.1 in vs 37.9 in.
When is the best time to move from Ann Arbor to Houston?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1291 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Houston compared to Ann Arbor?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $264,336 in Houston vs $523,391 in Ann Arbor — a 49.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Houston, TX from Ann Arbor, MI?
The driving distance is 1291 mi and the route typically takes 23h 24m via I 57 and US 59. The trip crosses 6 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 Ann Arbor.
City profiles: Ann Arbor, MI · Houston, TX.