Moving from Houston, TX to Los Angeles, CA
Moving from Houston, TX to Los Angeles, CA is a 1557 mi cross-country relocation — about 26h 37m of driving through 4 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
1557 mi · 26h 37m by car · CA → AZ → NM → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → AZ → NM → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 180, TX 130 |
| Major cities en route | Torrance, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Santa Clarita, Inglewood |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Houston | Los Angeles | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.629 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.288 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.639 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 104.51 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP moves from 98.629 in Houston to 113.566 in Los Angeles, a 15.1% bump on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in Los Angeles: 15.1% above Houston on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Houston -2.9%, Los Angeles -1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Houston | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71°F | 64°F |
| January avg low | 44°F | 48°F |
| July avg high | 93°F | 78°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 54.1" | 14.1" |
Los Angeles is 6.8°F cooler on the annual average (70.6°F vs 63.8°F, NOAA 1991–2020).
Effectively snow-free year in Los Angeles — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: HOUSTON-PORT, TX US, CULVER CITY, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Houston | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 3,857,897 |
| Median household income | $62,894 | $80,366 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 36.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.3% | 24.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.51 | 2.72 |
Median household income in Los Angeles is 15.1% above Houston ($62,894 vs $80,366, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Los Angeles MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Dry climate: Los Angeles sees only 14.1 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October — register for county emergency alerts 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 California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Houston vs Los Angeles?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $80,366 in Los Angeles vs $62,894 in Houston — a 27.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Los Angeles compared to Houston?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $952,183 in Los Angeles vs $264,336 in Houston — a 260.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Los Angeles more expensive than Houston?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Los Angeles is 15.1% higher than Houston (113.566 vs 98.629, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Los Angeles, CA from Houston, TX?
The driving distance is 1557 mi and the route typically takes 26h 37m via I 10 and US 180. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Los Angeles compare to Houston?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Los Angeles MSA vs $46,960 in the Houston MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 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 Los Angeles?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1557 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Houston and Los Angeles?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 63.8°F in Los Angeles vs 70.6°F in Houston (6.8°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 14.1 in vs 54.1 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Houston.
City profiles: Houston, TX · Los Angeles, CA.