Moving from Cape Coral, FL to Houston, TX
Relocating 1101 mi from Cape Coral to Houston is a 20h 9m drive through 5 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1101 mi Β· 20h 9m by car Β· TX β LA β MS β AL β FL
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β LA β MS β AL β FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 75, I 12 |
| Major cities en route | Sugar Land, Pearland, Pasadena, League City, Beaumont |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Cape Coral | Houston | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 102.349 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 86.901 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.24 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.113 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
3.6% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Cape Coral -8.4%, Houston -2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Cape Coral | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 75Β°F | 71Β°F |
| January avg low | 54Β°F | 44Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 57.4" | 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: FT MYERS PAGE FLD AP, FL US, HOUSTON-PORT, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Cape Coral | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 206,387 | 2,300,419 |
| Median household income | $76,062 | $62,894 |
| Median age | 48.7 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.7% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.51 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 3.6% lower in Houston than Cape Coral.
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 Florida 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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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.
- Register to vote in Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Houston more expensive than Cape Coral?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Houston is 3.6% lower than Cape Coral (98.629 vs 102.349, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Cape Coral vs Houston?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,894 in Houston vs $76,062 in Cape Coral β a 17.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Houston, TX from Cape Coral, FL?
The driving distance is 1101 mi and the route typically takes 20h 9m via I 10 and I 75. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Houston compare to Cape Coral?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Houston MSA vs $43,330 in the Cape Coral MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 and 290,450 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Houston compared to Cape Coral?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $264,336 in Houston vs $338,302 in Cape Coral β a 21.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Cape Coral to Houston?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1101 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 Cape Coral.
City profiles: Cape Coral, FL Β· Houston, TX.