Moving from Fargo, ND to Houston, TX
It is 1315 mi between Fargo and Houston β roughly 22h 50m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 7 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1315 mi Β· 22h 50m by car Β· TX β OK β KS β NE β IA β SD β ND
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β OK β KS β NE β IA β SD β ND |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 29, US 6, I 35 |
| 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
| Fargo | Houston | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.871 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 77.324 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.654 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 81.142 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
Houston runs about 8.5% more expensive overall than Fargo β RPP 90.871 β 98.629.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes in Houston run about 8.5% cheaper β ZHVI $314,973 β $264,336 (2026-03).
YoY change: Fargo +4.2%, Houston -2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fargo | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 41Β°F | 71Β°F |
| January avg low | -2Β°F | 44Β°F |
| July avg high | 82Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 24.4" | 54.1" |
Annual average temperature jumps 29.2Β°F β 41.4Β°F in Fargo vs 70.6Β°F in Houston, 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: FARGO 3S, ND US, HOUSTON-PORT, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fargo | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,064 | 2,300,419 |
| Median household income | $66,029 | $62,894 |
| Median age | 32.2 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.2 | 2.51 |
Household income lines up β $66,029 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 North Dakota 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.
Winter driving along this route
- I-90 across western South Dakota can close in ground blizzards β check SD 511 November through April.
- I-29 and I-94 can close without notice in winter storms; travel bans are declared more than once most winters.
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 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.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (29.2Β°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 far is Houston, TX from Fargo, ND?
The driving distance is 1315 mi and the route typically takes 22h 50m via I 29 and US 6. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Fargo vs Houston?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,894 in Houston vs $66,029 in Fargo β a 4.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Houston compare to Fargo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Houston MSA vs $48,110 in the Fargo MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 and 145,680 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Houston compared to Fargo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $264,336 in Houston vs $314,973 in Fargo β a 16.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Fargo to Houston?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1315 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Houston more expensive than Fargo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Houston is 8.5% higher than Fargo (98.629 vs 90.871, 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 Fargo.
City profiles: Fargo, ND Β· Houston, TX.