Moving from Houston, TX to Tempe, AZ
The drive from Houston, TX to Tempe, AZ runs 1164 mi — about 19h 38m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
1164 mi · 19h 38m by car · TX → NM → AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → NM → AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 87, US 90 |
| 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 | Tempe | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.629 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.288 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.639 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 104.51 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Tempe and Houston is within ±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) — plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Tempe is 4.8% above Houston — $264,336 vs $468,281 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Houston -2.9%, Tempe -1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Houston | Tempe |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71°F | 72°F |
| January avg low | 44°F | 39°F |
| July avg high | 93°F | 106°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 54.1" | 8.8" |
Annual average temperatures in Houston (70.6°F) and Tempe (71.8°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Tempe gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: HOUSTON-PORT, TX US, TEMPE ASU, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Houston | Tempe |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 186,419 |
| Median household income | $62,894 | $77,643 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 29.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.3% | 28.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.51 | 2.42 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 4.8% between Houston and Tempe (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Tempe MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 314,170 | $45,080 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 205,010 | $34,400 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 204,700 | $37,700 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 199,140 | $40,870 |
| Management Occupations | 170,690 | $105,420 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas and Arizona
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Arizona'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.
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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Tempe average 106°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Tempe sees only 8.8 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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 Arizona after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Tempe more expensive than Houston?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tempe is 4.8% higher than Houston (103.316 vs 98.629, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Tempe compared to Houston?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $468,281 in Tempe vs $264,336 in Houston — a 77.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Houston vs Tempe?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $77,643 in Tempe vs $62,894 in Houston — a 23.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Tempe compare to Houston?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Tempe MSA vs $46,960 in the Houston MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 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 Tempe?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 71.8°F in Tempe vs 70.6°F in Houston (1.2°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 8.8 in vs 54.1 in.
How far is Tempe, AZ from Houston, TX?
The driving distance is 1164 mi and the route typically takes 19h 38m via I 10 and US 87. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Houston to Tempe?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1164 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Houston.
City profiles: Houston, TX · Tempe, AZ.