Moving from Houston, TX to Austin, TX
The 164 mi from Houston to Austin translate to about 3h 5m behind the wheel through 1 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary — 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.
164 mi · 3h 5m by car · TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | TX 71, I 10, US 90 |
| Major cities en route | Pasadena, Pearland, League City, Sugar Land, Round Rock |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Houston | Austin | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.629 | 98.066 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.288 | 82.044 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.639 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 104.51 | 120.361 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Austin and Houston is within ±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) — plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Austin is 0.6% above Houston — $264,336 vs $508,530 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Houston -2.9%, Austin -5.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Houston | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71°F | 70°F |
| January avg low | 44°F | 42°F |
| July avg high | 93°F | 97°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 54.1" | 36.3" |
Annual average temperatures in Houston (70.6°F) and Austin (70.0°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Austin gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: HOUSTON-PORT, TX US, AUSTIN-CAMP MABRY, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Houston | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 967,862 |
| Median household income | $62,894 | $91,461 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 34.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.3% | 36.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.51 | 2.2 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 0.6% between Houston and Austin (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Austin MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 160,480 | $44,250 |
| Management Occupations | 121,080 | $120,430 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 115,170 | $38,390 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 115,080 | $30,040 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 99,680 | $77,510 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Austin average 97°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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
Is Austin more expensive than Houston?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Austin is 0.6% lower than Houston (98.066 vs 98.629, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Houston vs Austin?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $91,461 in Austin vs $62,894 in Houston — a 45.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Houston to Austin?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 164 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Houston and Austin?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.0°F in Austin vs 70.6°F in Houston (0.6°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.2 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 36.3 in vs 54.1 in.
How does the job market in Austin compare to Houston?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,070 in the Austin MSA vs $46,960 in the Houston MSA, on total employment of 1,235,440 and 3,179,460 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Austin compared to Houston?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $508,530 in Austin vs $264,336 in Houston — a 92.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Austin, TX from Houston, TX?
The driving distance is 164 mi and the route typically takes 3h 5m via TX 71 and I 10. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Houston.
City profiles: Houston, TX · Austin, TX.