Moving from Kent, WA to Houston, TX
Cross-country relocations like Kent, WA β Houston, TX cover 2313 mi and about 40h 59m of driving through 8 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
2313 mi Β· 40h 59m by car Β· TX β OK β CO β WY β UT β ID β OR β WA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β OK β CO β WY β UT β ID β OR β WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 287, I 84, I 80 |
| 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
| Kent | Houston | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 111.133 to 98.629, putting Houston roughly 11.3% below Kent on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Houston: 11.3% below Kent on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Kent -2.1%, Houston -2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Kent | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 71Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 44Β°F |
| July avg high | 78Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.1" | 54.1" |
Major climate step-up: 16.8Β°F warmer annual average in Houston vs Kent.
Effectively snow-free year in Houston β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: KENT, WA US, HOUSTON-PORT, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Kent | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,015 | 2,300,419 |
| Median household income | $90,416 | $62,894 |
| Median age | 35.3 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.1% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.89 | 2.51 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 11.3% between Kent and Houston (ACS 2023).
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 Washington 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 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.
Winter driving along this route
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts before departure.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Houston average 93Β°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 β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (16.8Β°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
How far is Houston, TX from Kent, WA?
The driving distance is 2313 mi and the route typically takes 40h 59m via US 287 and I 84. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Houston more expensive than Kent?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Houston is 11.3% lower than Kent (98.629 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Houston compared to Kent?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $264,336 in Houston vs $656,314 in Kent β a 59.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Kent vs Houston?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,894 in Houston vs $90,416 in Kent β a 30.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Kent to Houston?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2313 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 Houston compare to Kent?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Houston MSA vs $65,260 in the Kent MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Kent.
City profiles: Kent, WA Β· Houston, TX.