Moving from Manchester, NH to Houston, TX
Moving from Manchester, NH to Houston, TX is a 1872 mi cross-country relocation — about 35h 28m of driving through 14 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.
1872 mi · 35h 28m by car · TX → LA → MS → AL → GA → TN → VA → WV → PA → NJ → NY → CT → MA → NH
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → LA → MS → AL → GA → TN → VA → WV → PA → NJ → NY → CT → MA → NH |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 81, I 59, I 10 |
| Major cities en route | Pearland, Sugar Land, Pasadena, League City, Beaumont |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Manchester | Houston | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.657 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 133.535 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 97.687 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 134.22 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Houston are 6.7% below Manchester — a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Houston typical home at $264,336 is 6.7% under Manchester at $435,334 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Manchester +1.5%, Houston -2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Manchester | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 47°F | 71°F |
| January avg low | 13°F | 44°F |
| July avg high | 81°F | 93°F |
| Annual snowfall | 52.8" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 42.5" | 54.1" |
NOAA normals show Houston running 23.2°F above Manchester on the annual mean.
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: MASSABESIC LAKE, NH US, HOUSTON-PORT, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Manchester | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,415 | 2,300,419 |
| Median household income | $77,415 | $62,894 |
| Median age | 37.9 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.5% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.33 | 2.51 |
Median household income in Houston is 6.7% below Manchester ($77,415 → $62,894, 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 New Hampshire 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.
Winter driving along this route
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-77 at Flat Top Mountain and I-64 through the Greenbrier Valley see chain requirements in winter storms.
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- Lake-effect off Lake Ontario can shut down I-81 and I-90 for hours in winter — check 511NY.
- I-93 through Franconia Notch sees heavy winter weather — check NH 511.
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 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 (23.2°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
When is the best time to move from Manchester 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 1872 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Manchester vs Houston?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,894 in Houston vs $77,415 in Manchester — a 18.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Manchester and Houston?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.6°F in Houston vs 47.4°F in Manchester (23.2°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 52.8 in. Annual precipitation: 54.1 in vs 42.5 in.
How much do homes cost in Houston compared to Manchester?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $264,336 in Houston vs $435,334 in Manchester — a 39.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Houston, TX from Manchester, NH?
The driving distance is 1872 mi and the route typically takes 35h 28m via I 81 and I 59. The trip crosses 14 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Houston more expensive than Manchester?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Houston is 6.7% lower than Manchester (98.629 vs 105.657, 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 Manchester.
City profiles: Manchester, NH · Houston, TX.