Moving from Houston, TX to Cape Coral, FL
Relocating 1101 mi from Houston to Cape Coral is a 20h 9m drive through 5 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1101 mi Β· 20h 9m by car Β· TX β LA β MS β AL β FL
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β LA β MS β AL β FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 75, I 12 |
| 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
| Houston | Cape Coral | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.629 | 102.349 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.288 | 86.901 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.639 | 96.24 | 100.0 |
| Services | 104.51 | 125.113 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable β 98.629 vs 102.349 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 3.8% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $264,336 to $338,302 moving to Cape Coral.
YoY change: Houston -2.9%, Cape Coral -8.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Houston | Cape Coral |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71Β°F | 75Β°F |
| January avg low | 44Β°F | 54Β°F |
| July avg high | 93Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 54.1" | 57.4" |
Annual average temperatures in Houston (70.6Β°F) and Cape Coral (75.4Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: HOUSTON-PORT, TX US, FT MYERS PAGE FLD AP, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Houston | Cape Coral |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 206,387 |
| Median household income | $62,894 | $76,062 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 48.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.3% | 16.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.51 | 2.6 |
Expect median household income to rise 3.8% β $62,894 β $76,062 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Cape Coral MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 37,470 | $40,320 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 34,020 | $35,490 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 31,420 | $29,800 |
| Construction and Extraction Occupations | 27,370 | $47,070 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 21,980 | $37,390 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas and Florida
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Florida'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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Cape Coral average 92Β°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: Cape Coral averages 57.4 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Hurricane season runs June through November β stock a basic emergency kit (water, flashlight, battery radio) during unpack.
- 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 Florida after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Cape Coral more expensive than Houston?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Cape Coral is 3.8% higher than Houston (102.349 vs 98.629, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Cape Coral compare to Houston?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,330 in the Cape Coral MSA vs $46,960 in the Houston MSA, on total employment of 290,450 and 3,179,460 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Houston to Cape Coral?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1101 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Cape Coral compared to Houston?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $338,302 in Cape Coral vs $264,336 in Houston β a 28.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Cape Coral, FL from Houston, TX?
The driving distance is 1101 mi and the route typically takes 20h 9m via I 10 and I 75. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Houston vs Cape Coral?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $76,062 in Cape Coral vs $62,894 in Houston β a 20.9% 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 Houston.
City profiles: Houston, TX Β· Cape Coral, FL.