Moving from Houston, TX to Glendale, AZ
Relocating 1181 mi from Houston to Glendale is a 19h 60m drive through 3 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1181 mi · 19h 60m by car · TX → NM → AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → NM → AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 87, US 90 |
| Major cities en route | Pasadena, Pearland, League City, Sugar Land, San Antonio |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Houston | Glendale | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.629 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.288 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.639 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 104.51 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 98.629 vs 103.316 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 4.8% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $264,336 to $407,332 moving to Glendale.
YoY change: Houston -2.9%, Glendale -2.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Houston | Glendale |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71°F | 72°F |
| January avg low | 44°F | 41°F |
| July avg high | 93°F | 105°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 54.1" | 8.3" |
Annual average temperatures in Houston (70.6°F) and Glendale (71.9°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Glendale 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, YOUNGTOWN, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Houston | Glendale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 250,193 |
| Median household income | $62,894 | $70,139 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 34.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.3% | 15.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.51 | 2.88 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 4.8% higher in Glendale than Houston.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Glendale MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 314,170 | $45,080 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 205,010 | $34,400 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 204,700 | $37,700 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 199,140 | $40,870 |
| Management Occupations | 170,690 | $105,420 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas and Arizona
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Arizona'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
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Glendale average 105°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Glendale sees only 8.3 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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 Arizona after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
What is the climate difference between Houston and Glendale?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 71.9°F in Glendale vs 70.6°F in Houston (1.3°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 8.3 in vs 54.1 in.
How does the job market in Glendale compare to Houston?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Glendale MSA vs $46,960 in the Houston MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 3,179,460 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Glendale compared to Houston?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $407,332 in Glendale vs $264,336 in Houston — a 54.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Glendale more expensive than Houston?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Glendale is 4.8% higher than Houston (103.316 vs 98.629, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Houston vs Glendale?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $70,139 in Glendale vs $62,894 in Houston — a 11.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Houston to Glendale?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1181 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Glendale, AZ from Houston, TX?
The driving distance is 1181 mi and the route typically takes 19h 60m via I 10 and US 87. The trip crosses 3 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 · Glendale, AZ.