Moving from Des Moines, IA to Houston, TX
The drive from Des Moines, IA to Houston, TX runs 931 mi — about 17h 8m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
931 mi · 17h 8m by car · TX → OK → MO → IA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → OK → MO → IA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 45, US 69, I 35 |
| 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
| Des Moines | Houston | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.701 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.585 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.73 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 84.741 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP moves from 91.701 in Des Moines to 98.629 in Houston, a 7.6% bump on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in Houston: 7.6% above Des Moines on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Des Moines +0.8%, Houston -2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Des Moines | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51°F | 71°F |
| January avg low | 14°F | 44°F |
| July avg high | 86°F | 93°F |
| Annual snowfall | 36.5" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 36.6" | 54.1" |
Major climate step-up: 19.7°F warmer annual average in Houston vs Des Moines.
Effectively snow-free year in Houston — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: DES MOINES INTL AP, IA US, HOUSTON-PORT, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Des Moines | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 2,300,419 |
| Median household income | $63,966 | $62,894 |
| Median age | 34.6 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.9% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.36 | 2.51 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
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 Iowa 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.
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 (19.7°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 Des Moines vs Houston?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,894 in Houston vs $63,966 in Des Moines — a 1.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Des Moines 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 931 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Houston, TX from Des Moines, IA?
The driving distance is 931 mi and the route typically takes 17h 8m via I 45 and US 69. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Houston compared to Des Moines?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $264,336 in Houston vs $208,166 in Des Moines — a 27.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Des Moines and Houston?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.6°F in Houston vs 50.9°F in Des Moines (19.7°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 36.5 in. Annual precipitation: 54.1 in vs 36.6 in.
Is Houston more expensive than Des Moines?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Houston is 7.6% higher than Des Moines (98.629 vs 91.701, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Houston compare to Des Moines?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Houston MSA vs $49,550 in the Des Moines MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 and 383,190 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 Des Moines.
City profiles: Des Moines, IA · Houston, TX.