Moving from Houston, TX to Jacksonville, FL
Relocating 872 mi from Houston to Jacksonville is a 15h 57m drive through 5 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.
872 mi · 15h 57m by car · TX → LA → MS → AL → FL
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → LA → MS → AL → FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 12, US 90 |
| Major cities en route | Sugar Land, Pearland, Pasadena, League City, Beaumont |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Houston | Jacksonville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.629 | 99.484 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.288 | 87.514 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.639 | 96.24 | 100.0 |
| Services | 104.51 | 109.777 | 100.0 |
Houston and Jacksonville 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
Homes in Jacksonville run about 0.9% pricier — ZHVI $264,336 → $282,895 (2026-03).
YoY change: Houston -2.9%, Jacksonville -3.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Houston | Jacksonville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71°F | 71°F |
| January avg low | 44°F | 47°F |
| July avg high | 93°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 54.1" | 47.6" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 70.6°F vs 71.4°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Jacksonville sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: HOUSTON-PORT, TX US, JACKSONVILLE NAS, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Houston | Jacksonville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 961,739 |
| Median household income | $62,894 | $66,981 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 36.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.3% | 21.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.51 | 2.5 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 0.9% higher in Jacksonville than Houston.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Jacksonville MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 106,430 | $41,600 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 78,750 | $37,710 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 72,870 | $35,550 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 71,150 | $29,270 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 56,370 | $74,980 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas and Florida
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Florida'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 Jacksonville average 92°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Hurricane season runs June through November — stock a basic emergency kit (water, flashlight, battery radio) 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 Florida after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Houston vs Jacksonville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $66,981 in Jacksonville vs $62,894 in Houston — a 6.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Jacksonville more expensive than Houston?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Jacksonville is 0.9% higher than Houston (99.484 vs 98.629, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Houston to Jacksonville?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 872 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Jacksonville compare to Houston?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,420 in the Jacksonville MSA vs $46,960 in the Houston MSA, on total employment of 740,520 and 3,179,460 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Houston and Jacksonville?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 71.4°F in Jacksonville vs 70.6°F in Houston (0.8°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 47.6 in vs 54.1 in.
How far is Jacksonville, FL from Houston, TX?
The driving distance is 872 mi and the route typically takes 15h 57m via I 10 and I 12. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Jacksonville compared to Houston?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $282,895 in Jacksonville vs $264,336 in Houston — a 7.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Houston.
City profiles: Houston, TX · Jacksonville, FL.