Moving from Houston, TX to San Mateo, CA
A 1909 mi cross-country move between Houston and San Mateo is 33h 14m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 4 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1909 mi Β· 33h 14m 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 | San Mateo | 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 |
San Mateo runs about 17.2% more expensive overall than Houston β RPP 98.629 β 115.613.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $264,336 in Houston to $1,686,905 in San Mateo, a 17.2% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Houston -2.9%, San Mateo +0.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Houston | San Mateo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71Β°F | 59Β°F |
| January avg low | 44Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 93Β°F | 73Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 54.1" | 19.6" |
Annual temperature drops 11.9Β°F moving to San Mateo per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: HOUSTON-PORT, TX US, SAN FRANCISCO INTL AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Houston | San Mateo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 103,555 |
| Median household income | $62,894 | $152,669 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 38 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.3% | 31.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.51 | 2.6 |
San Mateo households earn about 17.2% more than Houston at the median β $62,894 β $152,669 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in San Mateo 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
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (11.9Β°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- 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 San Mateo?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1909 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 San Mateo compare to Houston?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the San Mateo 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 does household income compare in Houston vs San Mateo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $152,669 in San Mateo vs $62,894 in Houston β a 142.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is San Mateo more expensive than Houston?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in San Mateo is 17.2% higher than Houston (115.613 vs 98.629, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in San Mateo compared to Houston?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,686,905 in San Mateo vs $264,336 in Houston β a 538.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is San Mateo, CA from Houston, TX?
The driving distance is 1909 mi and the route typically takes 33h 14m via I 10 and US 87. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Houston.
City profiles: Houston, TX Β· San Mateo, CA.