Moving from Lancaster, CA to Houston, TX
It is 1564 mi and 26h 60m from Lancaster to Houston β a cross-country move across 4 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
1564 mi Β· 26h 60m 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, 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
| Lancaster | Houston | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
Expect about 13.2% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Houston at 98.629 vs Lancaster at 113.566.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 13.2% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $465,847 to $264,336 moving to Houston.
YoY change: Lancaster -2.1%, Houston -2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Lancaster | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 71Β°F |
| January avg low | 31Β°F | 44Β°F |
| July avg high | 98Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 6.8" | 54.1" |
Expect 8.5Β°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Houston gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LANCASTER WM J FOX FLD, CA US, HOUSTON-PORT, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lancaster | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,013 | 2,300,419 |
| Median household income | $76,083 | $62,894 |
| Median age | 34.2 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.7% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 3.26 | 2.51 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 13.2% lower in Houston than Lancaster.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Houston MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 387,430 | $41,570 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 305,780 | $39,450 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 288,170 | $27,490 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 269,160 | $35,450 |
| Management Occupations | 268,670 | $109,460 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Houston average 93Β°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: Houston averages 54.1 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- 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.
- Register to vote in Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Houston compared to Lancaster?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $264,336 in Houston vs $465,847 in Lancaster β a 43.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Houston compare to Lancaster?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Houston MSA vs $50,490 in the Lancaster MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Houston, TX from Lancaster, CA?
The driving distance is 1564 mi and the route typically takes 26h 60m via I 10 and US 87. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Houston more expensive than Lancaster?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Houston is 13.2% lower than Lancaster (98.629 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Lancaster vs Houston?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,894 in Houston vs $76,083 in Lancaster β a 17.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Lancaster to Houston?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1564 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β 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 Lancaster.
City profiles: Lancaster, CA Β· Houston, TX.