Moving from College Station, TX to Houston, TX
The 87 mi from College Station to Houston translate to about 1h 46m 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.
87 mi Β· 1h 46m by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | TX 249 TOLL, TX 6, TX 249 |
| Major cities en route | Pasadena, Pearland, League City, Sugar Land |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| College Station | Houston | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.951 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.39 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 75.088 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP moves from 90.951 in College Station to 98.629 in Houston, a 8.4% bump on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Houston: 8.4% below College Station on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: College Station +0.5%, Houston -2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | College Station | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 69Β°F | 71Β°F |
| January avg low | 41Β°F | 44Β°F |
| July avg high | 95Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 41.8" | 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: COLLEGE STN, TX US, HOUSTON-PORT, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | College Station | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,280 | 2,300,419 |
| Median household income | $51,776 | $62,894 |
| Median age | 22.9 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.5% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.74 | 2.51 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 8.4% between College Station 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 far is Houston, TX from College Station, TX?
The driving distance is 87 mi and the route typically takes 1h 46m via TX 249 TOLL and TX 6. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Houston compared to College Station?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $264,336 in Houston vs $349,041 in College Station β a 24.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Houston more expensive than College Station?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Houston is 8.4% higher than College Station (98.629 vs 90.951, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Houston compare to College Station?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Houston MSA vs $42,710 in the College Station MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 and 128,840 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from College Station to Houston?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 87 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in College Station vs Houston?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,894 in Houston vs $51,776 in College Station β a 21.5% higher 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 College Station.
City profiles: College Station, TX Β· Houston, TX.