Moving from Buffalo, NY to Round Rock, TX
Cross-country relocations like Buffalo, NY → Round Rock, TX cover 1545 mi and about 28h 4m of driving through 7 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.
1545 mi · 28h 4m by car · NY → PA → OH → KY → TN → AR → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | NY → PA → OH → KY → TN → AR → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 30, I 71 |
| Major cities en route | Cleveland, Akron, Columbus, Dayton, Cincinnati |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Buffalo | Round Rock | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 95.844 | 98.066 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 129.489 | 82.044 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 99.693 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 80.989 | 120.361 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Buffalo (95.844) and Round Rock (98.066) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in Round Rock: 2.3% above Buffalo on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Buffalo +3.8%, Round Rock -5.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
Climate normals not available (no NOAA station within range for one city).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Buffalo | Round Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 124,288 |
| Median household income | $48,050 | $97,187 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 36.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.9% | 28.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.31 | 2.66 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 2.3% between Buffalo and Round Rock (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Round Rock MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 160,480 | $44,250 |
| Management Occupations | 121,080 | $120,430 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 115,170 | $38,390 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 115,080 | $30,040 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 99,680 | $77,510 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between New York 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
- Lake-effect off Lake Ontario can shut down I-81 and I-90 for hours in winter — check 511NY.
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- I-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- 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
When is the best time to move from Buffalo to Round Rock?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1545 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Round Rock compared to Buffalo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $407,077 in Round Rock vs $238,089 in Buffalo — a 71.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Buffalo vs Round Rock?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $97,187 in Round Rock vs $48,050 in Buffalo — a 102.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Round Rock more expensive than Buffalo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Round Rock is 2.3% higher than Buffalo (98.066 vs 95.844, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Round Rock, TX from Buffalo, NY?
The driving distance is 1545 mi and the route typically takes 28h 4m via I 40 and I 30. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Round Rock compare to Buffalo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,070 in the Round Rock MSA vs $48,560 in the Buffalo MSA, on total employment of 1,235,440 and 526,990 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 Buffalo.
City profiles: Buffalo, NY · Round Rock, TX.