Moving from Houston, TX to Clearwater, FL
The drive from Houston, TX to Clearwater, FL runs 950 mi β about 18h 17m 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.
950 mi Β· 18h 17m 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, US 19, US 98 |
| 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 | Clearwater | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.629 | 100.89 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.288 | 88.525 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.639 | 95.47 | 100.0 |
| Services | 104.51 | 125.839 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Houston (98.629) and Clearwater (100.89) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in Clearwater: 2.3% above Houston on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Houston -2.9%, Clearwater -5.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Houston | Clearwater |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71Β°F | 74Β°F |
| January avg low | 44Β°F | 53Β°F |
| July avg high | 93Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 54.1" | 53.6" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: HOUSTON-PORT, TX US, ST PETERSBURG INTL AP, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Houston | Clearwater |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 117,075 |
| Median household income | $62,894 | $64,440 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 46.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.3% | 20.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.51 | 2.35 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Clearwater MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 201,260 | $41,920 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 145,340 | $36,560 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 135,010 | $30,310 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 114,660 | $36,330 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 111,490 | $75,840 |
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 Clearwater average 90Β°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: Clearwater averages 53.6 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
How does household income compare in Houston vs Clearwater?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $64,440 in Clearwater vs $62,894 in Houston β a 2.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Clearwater, FL from Houston, TX?
The driving distance is 950 mi and the route typically takes 18h 17m via I 10 and US 19. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Clearwater compared to Houston?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $339,488 in Clearwater vs $264,336 in Houston β a 28.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Clearwater more expensive than Houston?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Clearwater is 2.3% higher than Houston (100.89 vs 98.629, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Houston to Clearwater?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 950 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Clearwater compare to Houston?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,420 in the Clearwater MSA vs $46,960 in the Houston MSA, on total employment of 1,412,840 and 3,179,460 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Houston.
City profiles: Houston, TX Β· Clearwater, FL.