Moving from Houston, TX to Concord, CA
Cross-country relocations like Houston, TX β Concord, CA cover 1912 mi and about 33h 13m of driving through 4 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1912 mi Β· 33h 13m by car Β· TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 87, I 5 |
| 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
| Houston | Concord | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.629 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.288 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.639 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 104.51 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 17.2% pricier overall in Concord than Houston on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Concord typical home at $742,769 is 17.2% above Houston at $264,336 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Houston -2.9%, Concord -3.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Houston | Concord |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 44Β°F | 41Β°F |
| July avg high | 93Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 54.1" | 16.1" |
Climate cools by 8.6Β°F on the annual average β 70.6Β°F β 62.0Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: HOUSTON-PORT, TX US, CONCORD BUCHANAN FLD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Houston | Concord |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 124,260 |
| Median household income | $62,894 | $109,195 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 38.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.3% | 26.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.51 | 2.72 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 17.2% between Houston and Concord (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Concord MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 244,380 | $59,630 |
| Management Occupations | 237,070 | $171,350 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 211,250 | $104,950 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 194,040 | $39,200 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 183,930 | $49,390 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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
- 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.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- 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 California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Houston to Concord?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1912 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Concord compare to Houston?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Concord MSA vs $46,960 in the Houston MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 3,179,460 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Concord, CA from Houston, TX?
The driving distance is 1912 mi and the route typically takes 33h 13m via I 10 and US 87. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Concord compared to Houston?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $742,769 in Concord vs $264,336 in Houston β a 181.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Houston vs Concord?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $109,195 in Concord vs $62,894 in Houston β a 73.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Concord more expensive than Houston?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Concord is 17.2% higher than Houston (115.613 vs 98.629, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Houston.
City profiles: Houston, TX Β· Concord, CA.