Moving from Houston, TX to Miami Gardens, FL
A move from Houston, TX to Miami Gardens, FL covers 1176 mi and around 21h 27m of driving through 5 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
1176 mi Β· 21h 27m 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, I 75, 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 | Miami Gardens | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.629 | 114.155 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.288 | 97.235 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.639 | 103.556 | 100.0 |
| Services | 104.51 | 155.551 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP moves from 98.629 in Houston to 114.155 in Miami Gardens, a 15.7% bump on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in Miami Gardens: 15.7% above Houston on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Houston -2.9%, Miami Gardens -2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Houston | Miami Gardens |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71Β°F | 76Β°F |
| January avg low | 44Β°F | 59Β°F |
| July avg high | 93Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 54.1" | 68.3" |
Miami Gardens runs 5.4Β°F warmer on the annual average (70.6Β°F vs 76.0Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: HOUSTON-PORT, TX US, N MIAMI BEACH #2, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Houston | Miami Gardens |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 111,264 |
| Median household income | $62,894 | $60,979 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 38.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.3% | 11.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.51 | 3.22 |
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 Miami Gardens MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 393,730 | $41,640 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 306,440 | $37,640 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 261,940 | $30,720 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 239,610 | $37,610 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 194,910 | $77,760 |
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
- Pack rain gear on top: Miami Gardens averages 68.3 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 much do homes cost in Miami Gardens compared to Houston?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $469,434 in Miami Gardens vs $264,336 in Houston β a 77.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Miami Gardens more expensive than Houston?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Miami Gardens is 15.7% higher than Houston (114.155 vs 98.629, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Miami Gardens, FL from Houston, TX?
The driving distance is 1176 mi and the route typically takes 21h 27m via I 10 and I 75. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Houston to Miami Gardens?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1176 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 Miami Gardens compare to Houston?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,510 in the Miami Gardens MSA vs $46,960 in the Houston MSA, on total employment of 2,721,490 and 3,179,460 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Houston vs Miami Gardens?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,979 in Miami Gardens vs $62,894 in Houston β a 3.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Houston.
City profiles: Houston, TX Β· Miami Gardens, FL.