Moving from Jacksonville, FL to Houston, TX
Relocating 872 mi from Jacksonville to Houston is a 15h 57m drive through 5 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.
872 mi · 15h 57m by car · TX → LA → MS → AL → FL
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → LA → MS → AL → FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 12, US 90 |
| 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
| Jacksonville | Houston | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 99.484 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.514 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.24 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 109.777 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
Jacksonville and Houston sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes in Houston run about 0.9% cheaper — ZHVI $282,895 → $264,336 (2026-03).
YoY change: Jacksonville -3.1%, Houston -2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Jacksonville | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71°F | 71°F |
| January avg low | 47°F | 44°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 93°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 47.6" | 54.1" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 71.4°F vs 70.6°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Houston sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: JACKSONVILLE NAS, FL US, HOUSTON-PORT, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Jacksonville | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 961,739 | 2,300,419 |
| Median household income | $66,981 | $62,894 |
| Median age | 36.4 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.6% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.5 | 2.51 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 0.9% lower in Houston than Jacksonville.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Houston MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 387,430 | $41,570 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 305,780 | $39,450 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 288,170 | $27,490 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 269,160 | $35,450 |
| Management Occupations | 268,670 | $109,460 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Florida and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Houston average 93°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Houston averages 54.1 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- 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.
- Register to vote in Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Jacksonville vs Houston?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,894 in Houston vs $66,981 in Jacksonville — a 6.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Houston more expensive than Jacksonville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Houston is 0.9% lower than Jacksonville (98.629 vs 99.484, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Jacksonville and Houston?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.6°F in Houston vs 71.4°F in Jacksonville (0.8°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 54.1 in vs 47.6 in.
When is the best time to move from Jacksonville to Houston?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 872 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Houston compare to Jacksonville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Houston MSA vs $45,420 in the Jacksonville MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 and 740,520 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Houston, TX from Jacksonville, FL?
The driving distance is 872 mi and the route typically takes 15h 57m via I 10 and I 12. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Houston compared to Jacksonville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $264,336 in Houston vs $282,895 in Jacksonville — a 6.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Jacksonville.
City profiles: Jacksonville, FL · Houston, TX.