Moving from Santa Clara, CA to Houston, TX
It is 1887 mi and 32h 49m from Santa Clara to Houston β a cross-country move across 4 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
1887 mi Β· 32h 49m by car Β· TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 87, I 5 |
| Major cities en route | Pasadena, Pearland, League City, Sugar Land, San Antonio |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Clara | Houston | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 110.423 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 156.659 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 211.901 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 10.7% cheaper overall in Houston than Santa Clara on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
10.7% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Santa Clara -1.1%, Houston -2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Santa Clara | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61Β°F | 71Β°F |
| January avg low | 42Β°F | 44Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 13.5" | 54.1" |
Expect 9.9Β°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Effectively snow-free year in Houston β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SAN JOSE, CA US, HOUSTON-PORT, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Clara | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,239 | 2,300,419 |
| Median household income | $173,670 | $62,894 |
| Median age | 34.5 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.4% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 2.51 |
Expect median household income to fall 10.7% β $173,670 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.
Moving between California 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.
Winter driving along this route
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
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 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 the job market in Houston compare to Santa Clara?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Houston MSA vs $81,470 in the Santa Clara MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 and 1,141,820 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Houston compared to Santa Clara?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $264,336 in Houston vs $1,782,192 in Santa Clara β a 85.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Santa Clara vs Houston?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,894 in Houston vs $173,670 in Santa Clara β a 63.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Santa Clara to Houston?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1887 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Houston more expensive than Santa Clara?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Houston is 10.7% lower than Santa Clara (98.629 vs 110.423, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Houston, TX from Santa Clara, CA?
The driving distance is 1887 mi and the route typically takes 32h 49m via I 10 and US 87. The trip crosses 4 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 Santa Clara.
City profiles: Santa Clara, CA Β· Houston, TX.