Moving from Houston, TX to Miami, FL
It is 1188 mi between Houston and Miami — roughly 21h 42m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 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.
1188 mi · 21h 42m by car · TX → LA → MS → AL → FL
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → LA → MS → AL → FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 75, I 12 |
| 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 | Miami | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.629 | 114.155 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.288 | 97.235 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.639 | 103.556 | 100.0 |
| Services | 104.51 | 155.551 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 15.7% above Houston — 98.629 → 114.155 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
15.7% jump on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Houston -2.9%, Miami -2.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Houston | Miami |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71°F | 76°F |
| January avg low | 44°F | 61°F |
| July avg high | 93°F | 88°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 54.1" | 57.2" |
Annual temperature rises 5.5°F moving to Miami per NOAA normals.
Effectively snow-free year in Miami — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: HOUSTON-PORT, TX US, MIAMI BEACH, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Houston | Miami |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 446,663 |
| Median household income | $62,894 | $59,390 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 39.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.3% | 21.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.51 | 2.35 |
Households in Miami earn about 15.7% less at the median — ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Miami MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 393,730 | $41,640 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 306,440 | $37,640 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 261,940 | $30,720 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 239,610 | $37,610 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 194,910 | $77,760 |
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
- Pack rain gear on top: Miami averages 57.2 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- 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 Miami?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $59,390 in Miami vs $62,894 in Houston — a 5.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Houston and Miami?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 76.1°F in Miami vs 70.6°F in Houston (5.5°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 57.2 in vs 54.1 in.
When is the best time to move from Houston to Miami?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1188 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Miami compare to Houston?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,510 in the Miami MSA vs $46,960 in the Houston MSA, on total employment of 2,721,490 and 3,179,460 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Miami, FL from Houston, TX?
The driving distance is 1188 mi and the route typically takes 21h 42m via I 10 and I 75. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Miami compared to Houston?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $579,564 in Miami vs $264,336 in Houston — a 119.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Miami more expensive than Houston?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Miami is 15.7% higher than Houston (114.155 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 · Miami, FL.