Moving from Denton, TX to Houston, TX
Moving from Denton, TX to Houston, TX covers 278 mi and about 5h 3m 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.
278 mi Β· 5h 3m by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 45, I 35E, SPUR 377 |
| Major cities en route | Pearland, Sugar Land, Pasadena, League City, Mesquite |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Denton | Houston | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Houston and Denton is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Houston is 4.3% below Denton β $354,135 vs $264,336 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Denton -4.4%, Houston -2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Denton | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 71Β°F |
| January avg low | 34Β°F | 44Β°F |
| July avg high | 96Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 38.4" | 54.1" |
Houston runs 5.2Β°F warmer on the annual average (65.4Β°F vs 70.6Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Houston gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: DENTON 2 SE, TX US, HOUSTON-PORT, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Denton | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 146,987 | 2,300,419 |
| Median household income | $73,719 | $62,894 |
| Median age | 31 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.9% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.51 |
Median household income in Houston is 4.3% below Denton ($73,719 β $62,894, ACS 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.
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 far is Houston, TX from Denton, TX?
The driving distance is 278 mi and the route typically takes 5h 3m via I 45 and I 35E. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Denton vs Houston?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,894 in Houston vs $73,719 in Denton β a 14.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Houston compared to Denton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $264,336 in Houston vs $354,135 in Denton β a 25.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Houston compare to Denton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Houston MSA vs $48,440 in the Denton MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Houston more expensive than Denton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Houston is 4.3% lower than Denton (98.629 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Denton to Houston?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 278 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 Denton.
City profiles: Denton, TX Β· Houston, TX.