Moving from High Point, NC to Houston, TX
The drive from High Point, NC to Houston, TX runs 1114 mi — about 20h 47m 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.
1114 mi · 20h 47m by car · TX → LA → MS → AL → GA → SC → NC
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → LA → MS → AL → GA → SC → NC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 85, I 10, I 65 |
| 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
| High Point | Houston | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.865 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.065 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 74.519 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 6.2% pricier overall in Houston than High Point on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow typical home value is 6.2% higher in Houston than High Point as of 2026-03.
YoY change: High Point +0.3%, Houston -2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | High Point | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61°F | 71°F |
| January avg low | 32°F | 44°F |
| July avg high | 89°F | 93°F |
| Annual snowfall | 1.9" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 48.3" | 54.1" |
Climate warms by 9.5°F on the annual average — 61.1°F → 70.6°F.
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: HIGH PT, NC US, HOUSTON-PORT, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | High Point | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,263 | 2,300,419 |
| Median household income | $61,228 | $62,894 |
| Median age | 37.8 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.7% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.56 | 2.51 |
Household income lines up — $61,228 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 Carolina 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
- I-40 through Pigeon Gap and I-26 over Saluda Grade can see chain requirements in winter storms.
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.
- 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 much do homes cost in Houston compared to High Point?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $264,336 in Houston vs $249,821 in High Point — a 5.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between High Point and Houston?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.6°F in Houston vs 61.1°F in High Point (9.5°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 1.9 in. Annual precipitation: 54.1 in vs 48.3 in.
How does the job market in Houston compare to High Point?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Houston MSA vs $42,730 in the High Point MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 and 356,380 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Houston, TX from High Point, NC?
The driving distance is 1114 mi and the route typically takes 20h 47m via I 85 and I 10. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Houston more expensive than High Point?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Houston is 6.2% higher than High Point (98.629 vs 92.865, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in High Point vs Houston?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,894 in Houston vs $61,228 in High Point — a 2.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from High Point 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 1114 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from High Point.
City profiles: High Point, NC · Houston, TX.