Moving from Tyler, TX to Houston, TX
Moving from Tyler, TX to Houston, TX covers 195 mi and about 3h 51m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
195 mi Β· 3h 51m by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | TX 19, I 45, TX 155 |
| Major cities en route | Sugar Land, Pasadena, Pearland, League City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tyler | Houston | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.156 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.904 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 79.911 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP moves from 92.156 in Tyler to 98.629 in Houston, a 7.0% bump on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Moderate housing step-up: Houston at $264,336 is 7.0% above Tyler at $251,563.
YoY change: Tyler -1.0%, Houston -2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Tyler | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 71Β°F |
| January avg low | 39Β°F | 44Β°F |
| July avg high | 93Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 47.7" | 54.1" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Houston β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: TYLER, TX US, HOUSTON-PORT, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tyler | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,718 | 2,300,419 |
| Median household income | $65,527 | $62,894 |
| Median age | 35.5 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.4% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.86 | 2.51 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
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 much do homes cost in Houston compared to Tyler?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $264,336 in Houston vs $251,563 in Tyler β a 5.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Tyler vs Houston?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,894 in Houston vs $65,527 in Tyler β a 4.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Houston, TX from Tyler, TX?
The driving distance is 195 mi and the route typically takes 3h 51m via TX 19 and I 45. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Houston more expensive than Tyler?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Houston is 7.0% higher than Tyler (98.629 vs 92.156, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Houston compare to Tyler?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Houston MSA vs $39,080 in the Tyler MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 and 111,520 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Tyler to Houston?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 195 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 Tyler.
City profiles: Tyler, TX Β· Houston, TX.