Moving from Atlanta, GA to Houston, TX
Relocating 798 mi from Atlanta to Houston is a 14h 41m drive through 5 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
798 mi Β· 14h 41m by car Β· TX β LA β MS β AL β GA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β LA β MS β AL β GA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 65, I 85 |
| Major cities en route | Sugar Land, Pearland, Pasadena, League City, Beaumont |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Atlanta | Houston | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.058 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 96.239 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.416 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 111.022 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable β 100.058 vs 98.629 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 1.4% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $385,599 to $264,336 moving to Houston.
YoY change: Atlanta -3.8%, Houston -2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Atlanta | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 71Β°F |
| January avg low | 34Β°F | 44Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 48.1" | 54.1" |
Expect 8.3Β°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Houston gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ATLANTA FULTON CO AP, GA US, HOUSTON-PORT, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Atlanta | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 2,300,419 |
| Median household income | $81,938 | $62,894 |
| Median age | 34 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 32.8% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.16 | 2.51 |
Expect median household income to fall 1.4% β $81,938 β $62,894 per ACS 5-year estimates (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 Georgia 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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Houston average 93Β°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 β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- 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 much do homes cost in Houston compared to Atlanta?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $264,336 in Houston vs $385,599 in Atlanta β a 31.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Atlanta to Houston?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 798 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Houston compare to Atlanta?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Houston MSA vs $48,370 in the Atlanta MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 and 2,817,660 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Atlanta vs Houston?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,894 in Houston vs $81,938 in Atlanta β a 23.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Houston more expensive than Atlanta?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Houston is 1.4% lower than Atlanta (98.629 vs 100.058, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Houston, TX from Atlanta, GA?
The driving distance is 798 mi and the route typically takes 14h 41m via I 10 and I 65. The trip crosses 5 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 Atlanta.
City profiles: Atlanta, GA Β· Houston, TX.