Moving from Orlando, FL to Houston, TX
Relocating 979 mi from Orlando to Houston is a 17h 59m drive through 5 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
979 mi · 17h 59m by car · TX → LA → MS → AL → FL
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → LA → MS → AL → FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 75, I 12 |
| 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
| Orlando | Houston | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 101.418 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.196 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.24 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 123.374 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 101.418 vs 98.629 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 2.8% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $374,136 to $264,336 moving to Houston.
YoY change: Orlando -3.5%, Houston -2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Orlando | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 73°F | 71°F |
| January avg low | 50°F | 44°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 93°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 51.5" | 54.1" |
Annual average temperatures in Orlando (73.0°F) and Houston (70.6°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
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: ORLANDO INTL AP, FL US, HOUSTON-PORT, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Orlando | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 311,732 | 2,300,419 |
| Median household income | $69,268 | $62,894 |
| Median age | 35.1 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.1% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.46 | 2.51 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 2.8% lower in Houston than Orlando.
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 Florida 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.
- 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 Orlando vs Houston?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,894 in Houston vs $69,268 in Orlando — a 9.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Houston more expensive than Orlando?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Houston is 2.8% lower than Orlando (98.629 vs 101.418, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Houston, TX from Orlando, FL?
The driving distance is 979 mi and the route typically takes 17h 59m via I 10 and I 75. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Orlando and Houston?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.6°F in Houston vs 73.0°F in Orlando (2.4°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 54.1 in vs 51.5 in.
How does the job market in Houston compare to Orlando?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Houston MSA vs $43,120 in the Orlando MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 and 1,366,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Orlando 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 979 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Houston compared to Orlando?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $264,336 in Houston vs $374,136 in Orlando — a 29.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Orlando.
City profiles: Orlando, FL · Houston, TX.