Moving from El Paso, TX to Houston, TX
It is 744 mi between El Paso and Houston — roughly 12h 24m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 1 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
744 mi · 12h 24m by car · TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 87, US 90 |
| Major cities en route | Pasadena, League City, Pearland, Sugar Land, San Antonio |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| El Paso | Houston | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.912 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.585 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.248 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 9.7% above El Paso — 89.912 → 98.629 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 9.7% above El Paso — $234,775 → $264,336 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: El Paso +1.4%, Houston -2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | El Paso | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 71°F |
| January avg low | 35°F | 44°F |
| July avg high | 96°F | 93°F |
| Annual snowfall | 2.8" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 8.8" | 54.1" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Houston — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: EL PASO INTL AP, TX US, HOUSTON-PORT, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | El Paso | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 2,300,419 |
| Median household income | $58,734 | $62,894 |
| Median age | 34.1 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.3% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.8 | 2.51 |
Households in Houston earn about 9.7% more at the median — ACS 5-year 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 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.
- 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 much do homes cost in Houston compared to El Paso?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $264,336 in Houston vs $234,775 in El Paso — a 12.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Houston more expensive than El Paso?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Houston is 9.7% higher than El Paso (98.629 vs 89.912, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in El Paso vs Houston?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,894 in Houston vs $58,734 in El Paso — a 7.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Houston compare to El Paso?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Houston MSA vs $36,000 in the El Paso MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 and 323,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Houston, TX from El Paso, TX?
The driving distance is 744 mi and the route typically takes 12h 24m via I 10 and US 87. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from El Paso 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 744 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between El Paso and Houston?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.6°F in Houston vs 66.2°F in El Paso (4.4°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 2.8 in. Annual precipitation: 54.1 in vs 8.8 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from El Paso.
City profiles: El Paso, TX · Houston, TX.