Moving from Austin, TX to Pearland, TX
It is a 179 mi drive, roughly 3h 25m, between Austin, TX and Pearland, TX. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
179 mi Β· 3h 25m by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | TX 71, SHT, BW 8 |
| Major cities en route | Round Rock, Houston, Sugar Land, Pasadena, League City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Austin | Pearland | 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 |
Overall price level is comparable β 98.066 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 0.6% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $508,530 to $382,157 moving to Pearland.
YoY change: Austin -5.7%, Pearland -0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Austin | Pearland |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 70Β°F | 71Β°F |
| January avg low | 42Β°F | 46Β°F |
| July avg high | 97Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.2" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 36.3" | 53.3" |
Annual average temperatures in Austin (70.0Β°F) and Pearland (71.3Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: AUSTIN-CAMP MABRY, TX US, HOUSTON CLOVER FLD, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Austin | Pearland |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 125,983 |
| Median household income | $91,461 | $112,470 |
| Median age | 34.5 | 36.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 36.2% | 29.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.2 | 2.89 |
Pearland households earn about 0.6% more than Austin at the median β $91,461 β $112,470 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Pearland 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 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 Pearland 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: Pearland averages 53.3 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.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Pearland compare to Austin?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Pearland 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.
How does household income compare in Austin vs Pearland?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $112,470 in Pearland vs $91,461 in Austin β a 23.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Pearland compared to Austin?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $382,157 in Pearland vs $508,530 in Austin β a 24.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Pearland, TX from Austin, TX?
The driving distance is 179 mi and the route typically takes 3h 25m via TX 71 and SHT. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Pearland more expensive than Austin?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Pearland is 0.6% higher than Austin (98.629 vs 98.066, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Austin to Pearland?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 179 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Austin.
City profiles: Austin, TX Β· Pearland, TX.