Moving from Austin, TX to Houston, TX
The 164 mi from Austin to Houston translate to about 3h 5m behind the wheel through 1 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary — MSA, climate zone, or tax jurisdiction. The sections below set the two cities side by side on housing, income, cost of living, climate, and jobs.
164 mi · 3h 5m by car · TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | TX 71, I 10, US 90 |
| Major cities en route | Pasadena, Pearland, League City, Sugar Land, Round Rock |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Austin | Houston | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.066 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.044 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 120.361 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Austin (98.066) and Houston (98.629) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Houston: 0.6% below Austin on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Austin -5.7%, Houston -2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Austin | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 70°F | 71°F |
| January avg low | 42°F | 44°F |
| July avg high | 97°F | 93°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.2" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 36.3" | 54.1" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Houston — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: AUSTIN-CAMP MABRY, TX US, HOUSTON-PORT, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Austin | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 2,300,419 |
| Median household income | $91,461 | $62,894 |
| Median age | 34.5 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 36.2% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.2 | 2.51 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 0.6% between Austin and Houston (ACS 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.
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.
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.
- 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.
Frequently asked
Is Houston more expensive than Austin?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Houston is 0.6% higher than Austin (98.629 vs 98.066, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Houston, TX from Austin, TX?
The driving distance is 164 mi and the route typically takes 3h 5m via TX 71 and I 10. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Austin 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 164 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 Austin?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $264,336 in Houston vs $508,530 in Austin — a 48.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Austin and Houston?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.6°F in Houston vs 70.0°F in Austin (0.6°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.2 in. Annual precipitation: 54.1 in vs 36.3 in.
How does household income compare in Austin vs Houston?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,894 in Houston vs $91,461 in Austin — a 31.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Houston compare to Austin?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Houston MSA vs $50,070 in the Austin MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 and 1,235,440 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Austin.
City profiles: Austin, TX · Houston, TX.