Moving from Houston, TX to Round Rock, TX
The 165 mi from Houston to Round Rock translate to about 3h 16m behind the wheel through 1 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary — MSA, climate zone, or tax jurisdiction. The sections below set the two cities side by side on housing, income, cost of living, climate, and jobs.
165 mi · 3h 16m by car · TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 290, TX 45 TOLL, TX 130 TOLL |
| Major cities en route | Pasadena, League City, Pearland, Sugar Land, College Station |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Houston | Round Rock | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.629 | 98.066 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.288 | 82.044 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.639 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 104.51 | 120.361 | 100.0 |
Round Rock and Houston are close on the overall BEA RPP (98.629 vs 98.066); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Round Rock typical home at $407,077 is 0.6% above Houston at $264,336 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Houston -2.9%, Round Rock -5.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
Climate normals not available (no NOAA station within range for one city).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Houston | Round Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 124,288 |
| Median household income | $62,894 | $97,187 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 36.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.3% | 28.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.51 | 2.66 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 0.6% between Houston and Round Rock (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Round Rock MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 160,480 | $44,250 |
| Management Occupations | 121,080 | $120,430 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 115,170 | $38,390 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 115,080 | $30,040 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 99,680 | $77,510 |
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
- 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
How does household income compare in Houston vs Round Rock?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $97,187 in Round Rock vs $62,894 in Houston — a 54.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Round Rock, TX from Houston, TX?
The driving distance is 165 mi and the route typically takes 3h 16m via US 290 and TX 45 TOLL. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Houston to Round Rock?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 165 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Round Rock more expensive than Houston?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Round Rock is 0.6% lower than Houston (98.066 vs 98.629, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Round Rock compare to Houston?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,070 in the Round Rock MSA vs $46,960 in the Houston MSA, on total employment of 1,235,440 and 3,179,460 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Round Rock compared to Houston?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $407,077 in Round Rock vs $264,336 in Houston — a 54.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Houston.
City profiles: Houston, TX · Round Rock, TX.