Moving from Houston, TX to El Paso, TX
It is 744 mi between Houston and El Paso — roughly 12h 24m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 1 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.
744 mi · 12h 24m by car · TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 87, US 90 |
| Major cities en route | Pasadena, League City, Pearland, Sugar Land, San Antonio |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Houston | El Paso | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.629 | 89.912 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.288 | 82.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.639 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 104.51 | 71.248 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 8.8% cheaper overall in El Paso than Houston on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 8.8% under Houston — $264,336 → $234,775 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Houston -2.9%, El Paso +1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Houston | El Paso |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 44°F | 35°F |
| July avg high | 93°F | 96°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 2.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 54.1" | 8.8" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Light snow year: El Paso gets around 2.8 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: HOUSTON-PORT, TX US, EL PASO INTL AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Houston | El Paso |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 678,147 |
| Median household income | $62,894 | $58,734 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 34.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.3% | 18.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.51 | 2.8 |
Households in El Paso earn about 8.8% less at the median — ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in El Paso MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 44,500 | $35,550 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 34,790 | $23,150 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 32,160 | $33,850 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 31,050 | $28,800 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 23,040 | $61,670 |
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 El Paso average 96°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: El Paso sees only 8.8 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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
What is the climate difference between Houston and El Paso?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.2°F in El Paso vs 70.6°F in Houston (4.4°F colder). Annual snowfall: 2.8 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 8.8 in vs 54.1 in.
How does household income compare in Houston vs El Paso?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,734 in El Paso vs $62,894 in Houston — a 6.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in El Paso compared to Houston?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $234,775 in El Paso vs $264,336 in Houston — a 11.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is El Paso, TX from Houston, TX?
The driving distance is 744 mi and the route typically takes 12h 24m via I 10 and US 87. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is El Paso more expensive than Houston?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in El Paso is 8.8% lower than Houston (89.912 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 El Paso?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 744 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in El Paso compare to Houston?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $36,000 in the El Paso MSA vs $46,960 in the Houston MSA, on total employment of 323,310 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 · El Paso, TX.