Moving from Richardson, TX to Houston, TX
Relocating between Richardson, TX and Houston, TX is a 253 mi drive β 4h 31m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
253 mi Β· 4h 31m by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 45, US 75 |
| Major cities en route | Sugar Land, Pasadena, Pearland, League City, Mesquite |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Richardson | Houston | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable β 103.09 vs 98.629 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 4.3% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $440,400 to $264,336 moving to Houston.
YoY change: Richardson -2.4%, Houston -2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Richardson | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 71Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 44Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 41.9" | 54.1" |
Annual average temperatures in Richardson (65.8Β°F) and Houston (70.6Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
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: RICHARDSON, TX US, HOUSTON-PORT, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Richardson | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,269 | 2,300,419 |
| Median household income | $96,257 | $62,894 |
| Median age | 34 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33.1% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.51 |
Expect median household income to fall 4.3% β $96,257 β $62,894 per ACS 5-year estimates (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.
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.
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.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Houston compared to Richardson?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $264,336 in Houston vs $440,400 in Richardson β a 40.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Houston more expensive than Richardson?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Houston is 4.3% lower than Richardson (98.629 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Richardson to Houston?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 253 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Richardson vs Houston?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,894 in Houston vs $96,257 in Richardson β a 34.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Houston, TX from Richardson, TX?
The driving distance is 253 mi and the route typically takes 4h 31m via I 45 and US 75. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Houston compare to Richardson?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Houston MSA vs $48,440 in the Richardson MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Richardson.
City profiles: Richardson, TX Β· Houston, TX.