Moving from Nampa, ID to Houston, TX
Cross-country relocations like Nampa, ID → Houston, TX cover 1846 mi and about 32h 17m of driving through 6 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1846 mi · 32h 17m by car · TX → OK → CO → WY → UT → ID
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → OK → CO → WY → UT → ID |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 287, I 84, I 80 |
| Major cities en route | Pasadena, Pearland, League City, Sugar Land, Mesquite |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Nampa | Houston | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.391 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 70.695 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.179 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 105.58 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Nampa (98.391) and Houston (98.629) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Houston: 0.2% below Nampa on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Nampa +0.2%, Houston -2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Nampa | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52°F | 71°F |
| January avg low | 23°F | 44°F |
| July avg high | 93°F | 93°F |
| Annual snowfall | 9.7" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.0" | 54.1" |
Major climate step-up: 18.6°F warmer annual average in Houston vs Nampa.
Effectively snow-free year in Houston — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: NAMPA SUGAR FACTORY, ID US, HOUSTON-PORT, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Nampa | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,289 | 2,300,419 |
| Median household income | $72,122 | $62,894 |
| Median age | 34.1 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.8% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.85 | 2.51 |
Income steps down 0.2%: $72,122 in Nampa vs $62,894 in Houston.
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 Idaho 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 — 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
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April — check CDOT alerts before departure.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April — check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
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 93°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 — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (18.6°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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
Is Houston more expensive than Nampa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Houston is 0.2% higher than Nampa (98.629 vs 98.391, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Houston compare to Nampa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Houston MSA vs $45,320 in the Nampa MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 and 372,470 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Nampa and Houston?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.6°F in Houston vs 52.0°F in Nampa (18.6°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 9.7 in. Annual precipitation: 54.1 in vs 11.0 in.
How much do homes cost in Houston compared to Nampa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $264,336 in Houston vs $412,277 in Nampa — a 35.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Nampa vs Houston?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,894 in Houston vs $72,122 in Nampa — a 12.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Nampa to Houston?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1846 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Houston, TX from Nampa, ID?
The driving distance is 1846 mi and the route typically takes 32h 17m via US 287 and I 84. The trip crosses 6 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 Nampa.
City profiles: Nampa, ID · Houston, TX.