Moving from Norfolk, VA to Houston, TX
A move from Norfolk, VA to Houston, TX covers 1368 mi and around 25h 49m of driving through 8 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.
1368 mi · 25h 49m by car · TX → LA → MS → AL → GA → SC → NC → VA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → LA → MS → AL → GA → SC → NC → VA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 85, I 10, I 65 |
| 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
| Norfolk | Houston | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.941 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.579 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.767 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 99.805 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Houston and Norfolk is within ±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) — plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Houston is 0.7% below Norfolk ($264,336 vs $306,227 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Norfolk +0.7%, Houston -2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Norfolk | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61°F | 71°F |
| January avg low | 34°F | 44°F |
| July avg high | 89°F | 93°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 45.7" | 54.1" |
Houston runs 9.2°F warmer on the annual average (61.4°F vs 70.6°F, NOAA 1991–2020).
Houston gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: NORFOLK NAS, VA US, HOUSTON-PORT, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Norfolk | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,037 | 2,300,419 |
| Median household income | $64,017 | $62,894 |
| Median age | 32.4 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.3% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.49 | 2.51 |
Median household incomes in Norfolk ($64,017) and Houston ($62,894) are within a few percent (ACS 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 Virginia 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
- I-40 through Pigeon Gap and I-26 over Saluda Grade can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter 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.
- 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 Norfolk?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Houston is 0.7% higher than Norfolk (98.629 vs 97.941, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Houston, TX from Norfolk, VA?
The driving distance is 1368 mi and the route typically takes 25h 49m via I 85 and I 10. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Houston compare to Norfolk?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Houston MSA vs $46,990 in the Norfolk MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 and 737,200 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Norfolk vs Houston?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,894 in Houston vs $64,017 in Norfolk — a 1.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Houston compared to Norfolk?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $264,336 in Houston vs $306,227 in Norfolk — a 13.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Norfolk 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 1368 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Norfolk and Houston?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.6°F in Houston vs 61.4°F in Norfolk (9.2°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 3.0 in. Annual precipitation: 54.1 in vs 45.7 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Norfolk.
City profiles: Norfolk, VA · Houston, TX.