Moving from Kansas City, KS to Houston, TX
Relocating 785 mi from Kansas City to Houston is a 13h 39m drive through 3 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.
785 mi · 13h 39m by car · TX → OK → KS
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → OK → KS |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, I 45, US 77 |
| Major cities en route | Pasadena, Pearland, League City, Sugar Land, Mesquite |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Kansas City | Houston | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.543 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.034 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.12 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.642 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 6.6% higher cost of living — rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 6.6% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $198,195 to $264,336 moving to Houston.
YoY change: Kansas City +1.0%, Houston -2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Kansas City | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 57°F | 71°F |
| January avg low | 22°F | 44°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 93°F |
| Annual snowfall | 11.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 38.1" | 54.1" |
Expect 13.7°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Houston gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: KANSAS CITY DOWNTOWN AP, MO US, HOUSTON-PORT, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Kansas City | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,776 | 2,300,419 |
| Median household income | $59,183 | $62,894 |
| Median age | 34 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.6% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.51 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 6.6% higher in Houston than Kansas City.
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 Kansas 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.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (13.7°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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
What is the climate difference between Kansas City and Houston?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.6°F in Houston vs 56.9°F in Kansas City (13.7°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 11.0 in. Annual precipitation: 54.1 in vs 38.1 in.
How does the job market in Houston compare to Kansas City?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Houston MSA vs $48,040 in the Kansas City MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 and 1,078,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Houston compared to Kansas City?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $264,336 in Houston vs $198,195 in Kansas City — a 33.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Kansas City 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 785 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Kansas City vs Houston?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,894 in Houston vs $59,183 in Kansas City — a 6.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Houston, TX from Kansas City, KS?
The driving distance is 785 mi and the route typically takes 13h 39m via I 35 and I 45. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Houston more expensive than Kansas City?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Houston is 6.6% higher than Kansas City (98.629 vs 92.543, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Kansas City.
City profiles: Kansas City, KS · Houston, TX.