Moving from Carrollton, TX to Houston, TX
The 259 mi from Carrollton to Houston translate to about 4h 41m behind the wheel through 1 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary β 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.
259 mi Β· 4h 41m by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 45, I 35E, TX 190 |
| Major cities en route | Sugar Land, Pasadena, Pearland, League City, Mesquite |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Carrollton | Houston | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Carrollton (103.09) and Houston (98.629) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Houston: 4.3% below Carrollton on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Carrollton -4.6%, Houston -2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Carrollton | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 71Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 44Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 41.9" | 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: RICHARDSON, TX US, HOUSTON-PORT, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Carrollton | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 132,741 | 2,300,419 |
| Median household income | $99,115 | $62,894 |
| Median age | 38.4 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.1% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.51 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 4.3% between Carrollton 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 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
How does household income compare in Carrollton vs Houston?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,894 in Houston vs $99,115 in Carrollton β a 36.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Houston compared to Carrollton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $264,336 in Houston vs $406,040 in Carrollton β a 34.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Houston, TX from Carrollton, TX?
The driving distance is 259 mi and the route typically takes 4h 41m via I 45 and I 35E. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Carrollton to Houston?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 259 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Houston more expensive than Carrollton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Houston is 4.3% lower than Carrollton (98.629 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Houston compare to Carrollton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Houston MSA vs $48,440 in the Carrollton MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 and 3,966,500 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 Carrollton.
City profiles: Carrollton, TX Β· Houston, TX.