Moving from Denver, CO to Houston, TX
The drive from Denver, CO to Houston, TX runs 1016 mi — about 18h 33m 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.
1016 mi · 18h 33m by car · TX → OK → CO
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → OK → CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 287, I 45, US 81 |
| Major cities en route | Pasadena, Pearland, League City, Sugar Land, Mesquite |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Denver | Houston | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Houston are 6.8% below Denver — a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Houston typical home at $264,336 is 6.8% under Denver at $539,666 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Denver -4.3%, Houston -2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Denver | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51°F | 71°F |
| January avg low | 18°F | 44°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 93°F |
| Annual snowfall | 49.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 15.4" | 54.1" |
NOAA normals show Houston running 19.2°F above Denver on the annual mean.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Houston sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: DENVER-STAPLETON, CO US, HOUSTON-PORT, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Denver | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 713,734 | 2,300,419 |
| Median household income | $91,681 | $62,894 |
| Median age | 35.2 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33.8% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.17 | 2.51 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 6.8% between Denver 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.
Moving between Colorado 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 — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% 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.
Winter driving along this route
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April — check CDOT alerts before departure.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Houston average 93°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 — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (19.2°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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 does household income compare in Denver vs Houston?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,894 in Houston vs $91,681 in Denver — a 31.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Denver and Houston?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.6°F in Houston vs 51.4°F in Denver (19.2°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 49.0 in. Annual precipitation: 54.1 in vs 15.4 in.
How much do homes cost in Houston compared to Denver?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $264,336 in Houston vs $539,666 in Denver — a 51.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Houston compare to Denver?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Houston MSA vs $58,490 in the Denver MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Houston, TX from Denver, CO?
The driving distance is 1016 mi and the route typically takes 18h 33m via US 287 and I 45. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Denver to Houston?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1016 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Houston more expensive than Denver?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Houston is 6.8% lower than Denver (98.629 vs 105.782, 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 Denver.
City profiles: Denver, CO · Houston, TX.