Moving from Miami Gardens, FL to Houston, TX
A move from Miami Gardens, FL to Houston, TX covers 1176 mi and around 21h 27m of driving through 5 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
1176 mi Β· 21h 27m by car Β· TX β LA β MS β AL β FL
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β LA β MS β AL β FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 75, I 12 |
| 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
| Miami Gardens | Houston | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 114.155 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 97.235 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.556 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 155.551 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Houston are 13.6% below Miami Gardens β a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Houston typical home at $264,336 is 13.6% under Miami Gardens at $469,434 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Miami Gardens -2.9%, Houston -2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Miami Gardens | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 76Β°F | 71Β°F |
| January avg low | 59Β°F | 44Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 68.3" | 54.1" |
Houston is 5.4Β°F cooler on the annual average (76.0Β°F vs 70.6Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Houston sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: N MIAMI BEACH #2, FL US, HOUSTON-PORT, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Miami Gardens | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 111,264 | 2,300,419 |
| Median household income | $60,979 | $62,894 |
| Median age | 38.1 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 11.6% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 3.22 | 2.51 |
Household income lines up β $60,979 vs $62,894 on ACS 5-year 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 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 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.
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.
- 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 the job market in Houston compare to Miami Gardens?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Houston MSA vs $46,510 in the Miami Gardens MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 and 2,721,490 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Houston, TX from Miami Gardens, FL?
The driving distance is 1176 mi and the route typically takes 21h 27m via I 10 and I 75. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Houston compared to Miami Gardens?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $264,336 in Houston vs $469,434 in Miami Gardens β a 43.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Miami Gardens vs Houston?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,894 in Houston vs $60,979 in Miami Gardens β a 3.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Houston more expensive than Miami Gardens?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Houston is 13.6% lower than Miami Gardens (98.629 vs 114.155, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Miami Gardens to Houston?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1176 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Miami Gardens.
City profiles: Miami Gardens, FL Β· Houston, TX.