Moving from Cleveland, OH to Austin, TX
Relocating 1375 mi from Cleveland to Austin is a 24h 47m 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.
1375 mi Β· 24h 47m by car Β· TX β AR β TN β KY β OH
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β AR β TN β KY β OH |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 71, I 30 |
| Major cities en route | Round Rock, Killeen, Waco, Grand Prairie, Arlington |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Cleveland | Austin | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 93.923 | 98.066 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.967 | 82.044 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.628 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 79.434 | 120.361 | 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
4.4% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Cleveland -1.9%, Austin -5.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Cleveland | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52Β°F | 70Β°F |
| January avg low | 24Β°F | 42Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 97Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 33.3" | 36.3" |
Annual average temperature gap of 17.7Β°F β a meaningful climate change across the move.
Effectively snow-free year in Austin β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CLEVELAND BURKE AP, OH US, AUSTIN-CAMP MABRY, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Cleveland | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 367,523 | 967,862 |
| Median household income | $39,187 | $91,461 |
| Median age | 36.3 | 34.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.5% | 36.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.18 | 2.2 |
Expect median household income to rise 4.4% β $39,187 β $91,461 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Austin 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 Ohio 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.
Winter driving along this route
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Austin average 97Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (17.7Β°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 does household income compare in Cleveland vs Austin?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $91,461 in Austin vs $39,187 in Cleveland β a 133.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Austin compared to Cleveland?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $508,530 in Austin vs $115,537 in Cleveland β a 340.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Austin, TX from Cleveland, OH?
The driving distance is 1375 mi and the route typically takes 24h 47m via I 40 and I 71. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Austin more expensive than Cleveland?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Austin is 4.4% higher than Cleveland (98.066 vs 93.923, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Cleveland to Austin?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1375 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 Cleveland.
City profiles: Cleveland, OH Β· Austin, TX.