Moving from Brownsville, TX to Houston, TX
Relocating between Brownsville, TX and Houston, TX is a 353 mi drive β 6h 43m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
353 mi Β· 6h 43m by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 77, US 59, I 69E |
| Major cities en route | Pasadena, League City, Pearland, Sugar Land, Corpus Christi |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Brownsville | Houston | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 85.975 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 81.15 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 57.72 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 14.7% above Brownsville β 85.975 β 98.629 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
14.7% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Brownsville +2.1%, Houston -2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Brownsville | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 74Β°F | 71Β°F |
| January avg low | 51Β°F | 44Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | β | 54.1" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Houston β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WFO BROWNSVILLE, TX US, HOUSTON-PORT, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Brownsville | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 2,300,419 |
| Median household income | $48,675 | $62,894 |
| Median age | 30.9 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.8% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 3.21 | 2.51 |
Expect median household income to rise 14.7% β $48,675 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.
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.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Brownsville to Houston?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 353 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Houston compared to Brownsville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $264,336 in Houston vs $195,993 in Brownsville β a 34.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Brownsville vs Houston?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,894 in Houston vs $48,675 in Brownsville β a 29.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Houston compare to Brownsville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Houston MSA vs $33,540 in the Brownsville MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 and 154,580 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Houston, TX from Brownsville, TX?
The driving distance is 353 mi and the route typically takes 6h 43m via US 77 and US 59. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Houston more expensive than Brownsville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Houston is 14.7% higher than Brownsville (98.629 vs 85.975, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Brownsville.
City profiles: Brownsville, TX Β· Houston, TX.