Moving from Midland, TX to Houston, TX
Relocating between Midland, TX and Houston, TX is a 478 mi drive — 9h 10m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
478 mi · 9h 10m by car · TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | TX 71, US 87, TX 158 |
| Major cities en route | Pasadena, League City, Pearland, Sugar Land, Round Rock |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Midland | Houston | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 95.783 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.24 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 101.497 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 95.783 vs 98.629 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect around 3.0% lower home prices per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Midland +2.7%, Houston -2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Midland | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65°F | 71°F |
| January avg low | 31°F | 44°F |
| July avg high | 95°F | 93°F |
| Annual snowfall | 1.9" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 13.6" | 54.1" |
Expect 5.6°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: MIDLAND 4 ENE, TX US, HOUSTON-PORT, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Midland | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 133,998 | 2,300,419 |
| Median household income | $91,169 | $62,894 |
| Median age | 31.6 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.9% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.54 | 2.51 |
Expect median household income to fall 3.0% — $91,169 → $62,894 per ACS 5-year estimates (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.
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.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Midland vs Houston?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,894 in Houston vs $91,169 in Midland — a 31.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Houston, TX from Midland, TX?
The driving distance is 478 mi and the route typically takes 9h 10m via TX 71 and US 87. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Midland 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 478 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Houston compared to Midland?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $264,336 in Houston vs $328,325 in Midland — a 19.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Houston more expensive than Midland?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Houston is 3.0% higher than Midland (98.629 vs 95.783, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Midland and Houston?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.6°F in Houston vs 65.0°F in Midland (5.6°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 1.9 in. Annual precipitation: 54.1 in vs 13.6 in.
How does the job market in Houston compare to Midland?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Houston MSA vs $50,470 in the Midland MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 and 114,810 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 Midland.
City profiles: Midland, TX · Houston, TX.