Moving from Oklahoma City, OK to Houston, TX
The 444 mi from Oklahoma City to Houston translate to about 7h 52m behind the wheel through 2 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary — MSA, climate zone, or tax jurisdiction. The sections below set the two cities side by side on housing, income, cost of living, climate, and jobs.
444 mi · 7h 52m by car · TX → OK
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → OK |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 45, I 35, US 77 |
| Major cities en route | Pearland, Sugar Land, Pasadena, League City, Mesquite |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Oklahoma City | Houston | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.408 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 74.067 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.778 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 73.885 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Houston is 9.1% higher than Oklahoma City, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Houston is 9.1% above Oklahoma City — $206,713 vs $264,336 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Oklahoma City -0.3%, Houston -2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Oklahoma City | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60°F | 71°F |
| January avg low | 27°F | 44°F |
| July avg high | 93°F | 93°F |
| Annual snowfall | 6.7" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 36.4" | 54.1" |
Climate warms by 10.5°F on the annual average — 60.1°F → 70.6°F.
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: OKLAHOMA CITY WILL ROGERS AP, OK US, HOUSTON-PORT, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Oklahoma City | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 688,693 | 2,300,419 |
| Median household income | $66,702 | $62,894 |
| Median age | 35 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.5% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.5 | 2.51 |
Income steps down 9.1%: $66,702 in Oklahoma City 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 Oklahoma 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.
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 (10.5°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
How does household income compare in Oklahoma City vs Houston?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,894 in Houston vs $66,702 in Oklahoma City — a 5.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Houston compare to Oklahoma City?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Houston MSA vs $44,030 in the Oklahoma City MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 and 656,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Houston more expensive than Oklahoma City?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Houston is 9.1% higher than Oklahoma City (98.629 vs 90.408, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Oklahoma City and Houston?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.6°F in Houston vs 60.1°F in Oklahoma City (10.5°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 6.7 in. Annual precipitation: 54.1 in vs 36.4 in.
How much do homes cost in Houston compared to Oklahoma City?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $264,336 in Houston vs $206,713 in Oklahoma City — a 27.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Oklahoma City 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 444 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Houston, TX from Oklahoma City, OK?
The driving distance is 444 mi and the route typically takes 7h 52m via I 45 and I 35. The trip crosses 2 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 Oklahoma City.
City profiles: Oklahoma City, OK · Houston, TX.