Moving from Glendale, AZ to Houston, TX
Relocating 1181 mi from Glendale to Houston is a 19h 60m drive through 3 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1181 mi · 19h 60m by car · TX → NM → AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → NM → AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 87, US 90 |
| Major cities en route | Pasadena, Pearland, League City, Sugar Land, San Antonio |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Glendale | Houston | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.316 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.332 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.024 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 121.236 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
Glendale and Houston sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $407,332 in Glendale to $264,336 in Houston, a 4.5% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Glendale -2.6%, Houston -2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Glendale | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 72°F | 71°F |
| January avg low | 41°F | 44°F |
| July avg high | 105°F | 93°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 8.3" | 54.1" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 71.9°F vs 70.6°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Houston sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: YOUNGTOWN, AZ US, HOUSTON-PORT, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Glendale | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 250,193 | 2,300,419 |
| Median household income | $70,139 | $62,894 |
| Median age | 34.5 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.4% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.88 | 2.51 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 4.5% lower in Houston than Glendale.
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 Arizona 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.
Winter driving along this route
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
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.
- Register to vote in Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Houston more expensive than Glendale?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Houston is 4.5% lower than Glendale (98.629 vs 103.316, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Houston, TX from Glendale, AZ?
The driving distance is 1181 mi and the route typically takes 19h 60m via I 10 and US 87. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Glendale vs Houston?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,894 in Houston vs $70,139 in Glendale — a 10.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Glendale 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 1181 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Houston compare to Glendale?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Houston MSA vs $48,600 in the Glendale MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 and 2,289,130 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Houston compared to Glendale?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $264,336 in Houston vs $407,332 in Glendale — a 35.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Glendale and Houston?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.6°F in Houston vs 71.9°F in Glendale (1.3°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 54.1 in vs 8.3 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Glendale.
City profiles: Glendale, AZ · Houston, TX.