Moving from Houston, TX to Denton, TX
Moving from Houston, TX to Denton, 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
| Houston | Denton | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.629 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.288 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.639 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 104.51 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Houston (98.629) and Denton (103.09) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in Denton: 4.5% above Houston on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Houston -2.9%, Denton -4.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Houston | Denton |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 44Β°F | 34Β°F |
| July avg high | 93Β°F | 96Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 54.1" | 38.4" |
Denton is 5.2Β°F cooler on the annual average (70.6Β°F vs 65.4Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: HOUSTON-PORT, TX US, DENTON 2 SE, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Houston | Denton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 146,987 |
| Median household income | $62,894 | $73,719 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 31 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.3% | 25.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.51 | 2.72 |
Median household income in Denton is 4.5% above Houston ($62,894 β $73,719, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Denton MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 523,660 | $44,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 412,270 | $39,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 368,400 | $36,710 |
| Management Occupations | 350,940 | $117,410 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 341,240 | $29,000 |
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 Denton average 96Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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
When is the best time to move from Houston to Denton?
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.
How much do homes cost in Denton compared to Houston?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $354,135 in Denton vs $264,336 in Houston β a 34.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Houston vs Denton?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $73,719 in Denton vs $62,894 in Houston β a 17.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Denton, TX from Houston, 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 the job market in Denton compare to Houston?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Denton MSA vs $46,960 in the Houston MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 3,179,460 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Denton more expensive than Houston?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Denton is 4.5% higher than Houston (103.09 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· Denton, TX.