Moving from Boise City, ID to Houston, TX
It is 1830 mi and 31h 60m from Boise City to Houston — a cross-country move across 6 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
1830 mi · 31h 60m by car · TX → OK → CO → WY → UT → ID
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → OK → CO → WY → UT → ID |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 287, I 84, I 80 |
| Major cities en route | Pasadena, Pearland, League City, Sugar Land, Mesquite |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Boise City | Houston | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.391 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 70.695 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.179 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 105.58 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 98.391 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
YoY change: Boise City —, Houston -2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Boise City | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53°F | 71°F |
| January avg low | 26°F | 44°F |
| July avg high | 93°F | 93°F |
| Annual snowfall | 17.6" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.5" | 54.1" |
Expect 17.4°F warmer on average per year — plan for air conditioning and a summer-heavy wardrobe.
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: BOISE AIR TERMINAL, ID US, HOUSTON-PORT, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Boise City | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 2,300,419 |
| Median household income | $81,308 | $62,894 |
| Median age | 38.2 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.2% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.37 | 2.51 |
Expect median household income to fall 0.2% — $81,308 → $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.
Moving between Idaho 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
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April — check CDOT alerts before departure.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April — check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
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.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (17.4°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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 far is Houston, TX from Boise City, ID?
The driving distance is 1830 mi and the route typically takes 31h 60m via US 287 and I 84. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Houston more expensive than Boise City?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Houston is 0.2% higher than Boise City (98.629 vs 98.391, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Boise City and Houston?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.6°F in Houston vs 53.2°F in Boise City (17.4°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 17.6 in. Annual precipitation: 54.1 in vs 11.5 in.
How does household income compare in Boise City vs Houston?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,894 in Houston vs $81,308 in Boise City — a 22.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Boise City 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 1830 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Houston compare to Boise City?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Houston MSA vs $45,320 in the Boise City MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 and 372,470 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 Boise City.
City profiles: Boise City, ID · Houston, TX.