Moving from Santa Clarita, CA to Houston, TX
Cross-country relocations like Santa Clarita, CA → Houston, TX cover 1574 mi and about 27h 1m of driving through 4 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.
1574 mi · 27h 1m by car · TX → NM → AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → NM → AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 87, US 90 |
| Major cities en route | Pasadena, Pearland, League City, Sugar Land, San Antonio |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Clarita | Houston | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Houston are 13.2% below Santa Clarita — 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 13.2% under Santa Clarita at $802,016 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Santa Clarita -2.2%, Houston -2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Santa Clarita | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 71°F |
| January avg low | 47°F | 44°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 93°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 16.8" | 54.1" |
Climate warms by 5.1°F on the annual average — 65.5°F → 70.6°F.
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: NEWHALL 5NW, CA US, HOUSTON-PORT, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Clarita | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 229,021 | 2,300,419 |
| Median household income | $119,926 | $62,894 |
| Median age | 38.1 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.5% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 3.04 | 2.51 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 13.2% between Santa Clarita 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 California 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
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
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.
- 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
What is the climate difference between Santa Clarita and Houston?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.6°F in Houston vs 65.5°F in Santa Clarita (5.1°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.1 in. Annual precipitation: 54.1 in vs 16.8 in.
Is Houston more expensive than Santa Clarita?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Houston is 13.2% lower than Santa Clarita (98.629 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Santa Clarita vs Houston?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,894 in Houston vs $119,926 in Santa Clarita — a 47.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Santa Clarita 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 1574 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 Santa Clarita?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $264,336 in Houston vs $802,016 in Santa Clarita — a 67.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Houston, TX from Santa Clarita, CA?
The driving distance is 1574 mi and the route typically takes 27h 1m via I 10 and US 87. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Houston compare to Santa Clarita?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Houston MSA vs $50,490 in the Santa Clarita MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 and 6,185,570 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 Santa Clarita.
City profiles: Santa Clarita, CA · Houston, TX.