Moving from Houston, TX to Norman, OK
It is a 435 mi drive, roughly 7h 51m, between Houston, TX and Norman, OK. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
435 mi · 7h 51m by car · TX → OK
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → OK |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 45, I 35, US 77 |
| 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 | Norman | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.629 | 90.408 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.288 | 74.067 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.639 | 93.778 | 100.0 |
| Services | 104.51 | 73.885 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 8.3% cheaper overall in Norman than Houston on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing stays roughly flat moving from Houston to Norman — $264,336 vs $262,839 (2026-03).
YoY change: Houston -2.9%, Norman +2.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Houston | Norman |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71°F | 61°F |
| January avg low | 44°F | 28°F |
| July avg high | 93°F | 93°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 4.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 54.1" | 37.7" |
Annual temperature drops 9.9°F moving to Norman per NOAA normals.
Light snow year: Norman gets around 4.1 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: HOUSTON-PORT, TX US, NORMAN 3SSE, OK US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Houston | Norman |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 128,714 |
| Median household income | $62,894 | $65,060 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 31.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.3% | 24.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.51 | 2.5 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Norman MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 91,690 | $40,050 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 68,430 | $26,100 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 60,820 | $36,060 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 59,770 | $34,460 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 43,490 | $76,980 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas and Oklahoma
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Oklahoma'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 Norman average 93°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Tornado season peaks April through June — identify a safe room or interior space in the new home on day one.
- 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 Oklahoma after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Norman more expensive than Houston?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Norman is 8.3% lower than Houston (90.408 vs 98.629, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Norman compared to Houston?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $262,839 in Norman vs $264,336 in Houston — a 0.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Houston and Norman?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 60.7°F in Norman vs 70.6°F in Houston (9.9°F colder). Annual snowfall: 4.1 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 37.7 in vs 54.1 in.
How far is Norman, OK from Houston, TX?
The driving distance is 435 mi and the route typically takes 7h 51m via I 45 and I 35. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Houston vs Norman?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,060 in Norman vs $62,894 in Houston — a 3.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Houston to Norman?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 435 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Norman compare to Houston?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,030 in the Norman MSA vs $46,960 in the Houston MSA, on total employment of 656,800 and 3,179,460 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Houston.
City profiles: Houston, TX · Norman, OK.