Moving from Sandy Springs, GA to Houston, TX
A move from Sandy Springs, GA to Houston, TX covers 809 mi and around 14h 56m of driving through 5 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.
809 mi Β· 14h 56m by car Β· TX β LA β MS β AL β GA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β LA β MS β AL β GA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 65, I 85 |
| 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
| Sandy Springs | Houston | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.058 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 96.239 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.416 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 111.022 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
Houston and Sandy Springs are close on the overall BEA RPP (100.058 vs 98.629); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Houston typical home at $264,336 is 1.4% under Sandy Springs at $691,063 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Sandy Springs +2.8%, Houston -2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Sandy Springs | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 71Β°F |
| January avg low | 33Β°F | 44Β°F |
| July avg high | 89Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 51.4" | 54.1" |
Houston runs 9.1Β°F warmer on the annual average (61.5Β°F vs 70.6Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Houston sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ATLANTA PEACHTREE AP, GA US, HOUSTON-PORT, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Sandy Springs | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,198 | 2,300,419 |
| Median household income | $101,593 | $62,894 |
| Median age | 37.1 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 39.8% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.06 | 2.51 |
Median household income in Houston is 1.4% below Sandy Springs ($101,593 vs $62,894, ACS 5-year 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 Georgia 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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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.
- Register to vote in Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Sandy Springs vs Houston?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,894 in Houston vs $101,593 in Sandy Springs β a 38.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Houston more expensive than Sandy Springs?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Houston is 1.4% lower than Sandy Springs (98.629 vs 100.058, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Houston, TX from Sandy Springs, GA?
The driving distance is 809 mi and the route typically takes 14h 56m via I 10 and I 65. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Houston compared to Sandy Springs?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $264,336 in Houston vs $691,063 in Sandy Springs β a 61.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Houston compare to Sandy Springs?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Houston MSA vs $48,370 in the Sandy Springs MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 and 2,817,660 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Sandy Springs to Houston?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 809 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Sandy Springs.
City profiles: Sandy Springs, GA Β· Houston, TX.