Moving from Moreno Valley, CA to Houston, TX
A move from Moreno Valley, CA to Houston, TX covers 1480 mi and around 25h 14m of driving through 4 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
1480 mi Β· 25h 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, 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
| Moreno Valley | Houston | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.442 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.641 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 101.431 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 129.312 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
Houston is 7.3% cheaper than Moreno Valley overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Houston is 7.3% below Moreno Valley β $551,284 vs $264,336 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Moreno Valley -1.5%, Houston -2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Moreno Valley | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63Β°F | 71Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 44Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 10.7" | 54.1" |
Houston runs 7.3Β°F warmer on the annual average (63.3Β°F vs 70.6Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
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: MARCH AFB, CA US, HOUSTON-PORT, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Moreno Valley | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 210,378 | 2,300,419 |
| Median household income | $87,477 | $62,894 |
| Median age | 32.1 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.1% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 3.84 | 2.51 |
Median household income in Houston is 7.3% below Moreno Valley ($87,477 vs $62,894, ACS 5-year 2023).
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 does the job market in Houston compare to Moreno Valley?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Houston MSA vs $47,450 in the Moreno Valley MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 and 1,661,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Moreno Valley vs Houston?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,894 in Houston vs $87,477 in Moreno Valley β a 28.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Houston more expensive than Moreno Valley?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Houston is 7.3% lower than Moreno Valley (98.629 vs 106.442, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Houston, TX from Moreno Valley, CA?
The driving distance is 1480 mi and the route typically takes 25h 14m via I 10 and US 87. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Moreno Valley to Houston?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1480 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 Houston compared to Moreno Valley?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $264,336 in Houston vs $551,284 in Moreno Valley β a 52.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Moreno Valley.
City profiles: Moreno Valley, CA Β· Houston, TX.