Moving from Houston, TX to Tyler, TX
Moving from Houston, TX to Tyler, TX covers 195 mi and about 3h 51m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
195 mi Β· 3h 51m by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | TX 19, I 45, TX 155 |
| Major cities en route | Sugar Land, Pasadena, Pearland, League City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Houston | Tyler | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.629 | 92.156 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.288 | 82.904 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.639 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 104.51 | 79.911 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 98.629 to 92.156, putting Tyler roughly 6.6% below Houston on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Home prices line up β $264,336 vs $251,563 on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Houston -2.9%, Tyler -1.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Houston | Tyler |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 44Β°F | 39Β°F |
| July avg high | 93Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 54.1" | 47.7" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: HOUSTON-PORT, TX US, TYLER, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Houston | Tyler |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 107,718 |
| Median household income | $62,894 | $65,527 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 35.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.3% | 20.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.51 | 2.86 |
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 Tyler MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 12,210 | $37,410 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 11,080 | $38,150 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 10,660 | $71,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 10,430 | $26,300 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 10,210 | $30,020 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
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 Tyler average 93Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Tyler compare to Houston?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,080 in the Tyler MSA vs $46,960 in the Houston MSA, on total employment of 111,520 and 3,179,460 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Tyler, TX from Houston, TX?
The driving distance is 195 mi and the route typically takes 3h 51m via TX 19 and I 45. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Houston to Tyler?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 195 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Tyler compared to Houston?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $251,563 in Tyler vs $264,336 in Houston β a 4.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Tyler more expensive than Houston?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tyler is 6.6% lower than Houston (92.156 vs 98.629, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Houston vs Tyler?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,527 in Tyler vs $62,894 in Houston β a 4.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Houston.
City profiles: Houston, TX Β· Tyler, TX.