Moving from Houston, TX to Tuscaloosa, AL
Relocating 620 mi from Houston to Tuscaloosa is a 11h 28m drive through 4 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
620 mi Β· 11h 28m by car Β· TX β LA β MS β AL
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β LA β MS β AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 59, 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 | Tuscaloosa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.629 | 87.722 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.288 | 84.396 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.639 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 104.51 | 58.246 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 11.1% moving from Houston to Tuscaloosa β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes in Tuscaloosa run about 11.1% cheaper β ZHVI $264,336 β $228,947 (2026-03).
YoY change: Houston -2.9%, Tuscaloosa +1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Houston | Tuscaloosa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71Β°F | 64Β°F |
| January avg low | 44Β°F | 35Β°F |
| July avg high | 93Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 54.1" | 57.3" |
Expect 6.3Β°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: HOUSTON-PORT, TX US, NORTHPORT 2 S, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Houston | Tuscaloosa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 107,699 |
| Median household income | $62,894 | $48,536 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 28.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.3% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.51 | 2.68 |
Expect median household income to fall 11.1% β $62,894 β $48,536 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Tuscaloosa MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Production Occupations | 15,750 | $48,310 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 9,940 | $37,980 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 9,860 | $25,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 9,250 | $36,980 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 8,780 | $29,460 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas and Alabama
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Alabama'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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Tuscaloosa average 92Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Tuscaloosa averages 57.3 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Hurricane season runs June through November on the Gulf Coast.
- 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 Alabama after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Houston to Tuscaloosa?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 620 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 Tuscaloosa compare to Houston?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,690 in the Tuscaloosa MSA vs $46,960 in the Houston MSA, on total employment of 103,520 and 3,179,460 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Tuscaloosa compared to Houston?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $228,947 in Tuscaloosa vs $264,336 in Houston β a 13.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Houston vs Tuscaloosa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,536 in Tuscaloosa vs $62,894 in Houston β a 22.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Tuscaloosa more expensive than Houston?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tuscaloosa is 11.1% lower than Houston (87.722 vs 98.629, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Tuscaloosa, AL from Houston, TX?
The driving distance is 620 mi and the route typically takes 11h 28m via I 10 and I 59. 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· Tuscaloosa, AL.