Moving from Clearwater, FL to Houston, TX
The drive from Clearwater, FL to Houston, TX runs 950 mi β about 18h 17m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
950 mi Β· 18h 17m by car Β· TX β LA β MS β AL β FL
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β LA β MS β AL β FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 19, US 98 |
| 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
| Clearwater | Houston | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.89 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.525 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.47 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.839 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
Houston and Clearwater are close on the overall BEA RPP (100.89 vs 98.629); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Houston typical home at $264,336 is 2.2% under Clearwater at $339,488 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Clearwater -5.1%, Houston -2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Clearwater | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 74Β°F | 71Β°F |
| January avg low | 53Β°F | 44Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 53.6" | 54.1" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 73.9Β°F vs 70.6Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Houston sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ST PETERSBURG INTL AP, FL US, HOUSTON-PORT, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Clearwater | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,075 | 2,300,419 |
| Median household income | $64,440 | $62,894 |
| Median age | 46.4 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.6% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.35 | 2.51 |
Household income lines up β $64,440 vs $62,894 on ACS 5-year 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 Florida 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 far is Houston, TX from Clearwater, FL?
The driving distance is 950 mi and the route typically takes 18h 17m via I 10 and US 19. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Houston more expensive than Clearwater?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Houston is 2.2% lower than Clearwater (98.629 vs 100.89, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Houston compare to Clearwater?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Houston MSA vs $46,420 in the Clearwater MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 and 1,412,840 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Clearwater to Houston?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 950 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 Clearwater?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $264,336 in Houston vs $339,488 in Clearwater β a 22.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Clearwater vs Houston?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,894 in Houston vs $64,440 in Clearwater β a 2.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Clearwater.
City profiles: Clearwater, FL Β· Houston, TX.