Moving from Houston, TX to Palmdale, CA
Moving from Houston, TX to Palmdale, CA is a 1554 mi cross-country relocation — about 26h 47m 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.
1554 mi · 26h 47m by car · TX → NM → AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → NM → AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| 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 | Palmdale | 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 |
Moderate COL step-up: 15.1% pricier overall in Palmdale than Houston on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Palmdale typical home at $501,257 is 15.1% above Houston at $264,336 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Houston -2.9%, Palmdale -1.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Houston | Palmdale |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71°F | 64°F |
| January avg low | 44°F | 35°F |
| July avg high | 93°F | 98°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 54.1" | 7.3" |
Palmdale is 7.0°F cooler on the annual average (70.6°F vs 63.6°F, NOAA 1991–2020).
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Palmdale sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: HOUSTON-PORT, TX US, PALMDALE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Houston | Palmdale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 165,487 |
| Median household income | $62,894 | $81,151 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 33.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.3% | 11.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.51 | 3.56 |
Median household income in Palmdale is 15.1% above Houston ($62,894 vs $81,151, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Palmdale 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
- 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.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Palmdale average 98°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Palmdale sees only 7.3 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 far is Palmdale, CA from Houston, TX?
The driving distance is 1554 mi and the route typically takes 26h 47m via I 10 and US 87. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Palmdale compared to Houston?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $501,257 in Palmdale vs $264,336 in Houston — a 89.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Houston vs Palmdale?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $81,151 in Palmdale vs $62,894 in Houston — a 29.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Palmdale compare to Houston?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Palmdale 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 Palmdale?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1554 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Palmdale more expensive than Houston?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Palmdale is 15.1% higher than Houston (113.566 vs 98.629, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Houston and Palmdale?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 63.6°F in Palmdale vs 70.6°F in Houston (7.0°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 7.3 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 · Palmdale, CA.