Moving from Pearland, TX to Houston, TX
Relocating from Pearland, TX to Houston, TX? The drive is 23 mi β about 34 min. Local does not always mean identical: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and NOAA climate can all shift a few percent across short distances. The sections below compare each data layer directly.
23 mi Β· 34 min by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | TX 288 TOLL, FM 518, I 45 |
| Major cities en route | Sugar Land, Pasadena, League City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Pearland | Houston | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.629 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.288 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.639 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 104.51 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable β 98.629 vs 98.629 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 0.0% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $382,157 to $264,336 moving to Houston.
YoY change: Pearland -0.8%, Houston -2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Pearland | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71Β°F | 71Β°F |
| January avg low | 46Β°F | 44Β°F |
| July avg high | 93Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 53.3" | 54.1" |
Annual average temperatures in Pearland (71.3Β°F) and Houston (70.6Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Houston gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: HOUSTON CLOVER FLD, TX US, HOUSTON-PORT, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Pearland | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,983 | 2,300,419 |
| Median household income | $112,470 | $62,894 |
| Median age | 36.5 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.6% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.89 | 2.51 |
Expect median household income to fall 0.0% β $112,470 β $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 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.
Frequently asked
How far is Houston, TX from Pearland, TX?
The driving distance is 23 mi and the route typically takes 34 min via TX 288 TOLL and FM 518. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Pearland vs Houston?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,894 in Houston vs $112,470 in Pearland β a 44.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Houston compare to Pearland?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Houston MSA vs $46,960 in the Pearland MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 and 3,179,460 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Houston compared to Pearland?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $264,336 in Houston vs $382,157 in Pearland β a 30.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Pearland to Houston?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 23 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 Pearland.
City profiles: Pearland, TX Β· Houston, TX.