Moving from Houston, TX to Chattanooga, TN
It is 820 mi between Houston and Chattanooga — roughly 15h 5m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 6 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.
820 mi · 15h 5m by car · TX → LA → MS → AL → GA → TN
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → LA → MS → AL → GA → TN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 59, I 10, 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 | Chattanooga | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.629 | 91.464 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.288 | 74.209 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.639 | 95.994 | 100.0 |
| Services | 104.51 | 76.55 | 100.0 |
Expect about 7.3% lower overall cost of living — BEA RPP 2024 has Chattanooga at 91.464 vs Houston at 98.629.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 7.3% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $264,336 to $319,579 moving to Chattanooga.
YoY change: Houston -2.9%, Chattanooga -0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Houston | Chattanooga |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71°F | 62°F |
| January avg low | 44°F | 32°F |
| July avg high | 93°F | 91°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 3.6" |
| Annual precipitation | 54.1" | 55.0" |
Annual temperature drops 8.7°F moving to Chattanooga per NOAA normals.
Chattanooga averages 3.6 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: HOUSTON-PORT, TX US, CHATTANOOGA LOVELL AP, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Houston | Chattanooga |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 182,832 |
| Median household income | $62,894 | $61,028 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 36.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.3% | 21.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.51 | 2.35 |
Median household incomes in Houston ($62,894) and Chattanooga ($61,028) are within a few percent (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Chattanooga MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 34,970 | $39,520 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 27,430 | $36,320 |
| Production Occupations | 26,510 | $43,150 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 24,780 | $27,910 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 22,460 | $31,750 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas and Tennessee
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Tennessee'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 the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain 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 Chattanooga average 91°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: Chattanooga averages 55.0 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- 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 Tennessee after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Chattanooga, TN from Houston, TX?
The driving distance is 820 mi and the route typically takes 15h 5m via I 59 and I 10. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Chattanooga compared to Houston?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $319,579 in Chattanooga vs $264,336 in Houston — a 20.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Houston vs Chattanooga?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $61,028 in Chattanooga vs $62,894 in Houston — a 3.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Chattanooga compare to Houston?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,150 in the Chattanooga MSA vs $46,960 in the Houston MSA, on total employment of 261,750 and 3,179,460 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Houston and Chattanooga?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 61.9°F in Chattanooga vs 70.6°F in Houston (8.7°F colder). Annual snowfall: 3.6 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 55.0 in vs 54.1 in.
When is the best time to move from Houston to Chattanooga?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 820 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Chattanooga more expensive than Houston?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Chattanooga is 7.3% lower than Houston (91.464 vs 98.629, 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 Houston.
City profiles: Houston, TX · Chattanooga, TN.