Moving from Sunnyvale, CA to Houston, TX
A 1890 mi cross-country move between Sunnyvale and Houston is 32h 53m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 4 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1890 mi Β· 32h 53m 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
| Sunnyvale | 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 |
Overall cost of living drops 10.7% moving from Sunnyvale to Houston β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $2,168,909 in Sunnyvale to $264,336 in Houston, a 10.7% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Sunnyvale -0.1%, Houston -2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Sunnyvale | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60Β°F | 71Β°F |
| January avg low | 42Β°F | 44Β°F |
| July avg high | 77Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 13.5" | 54.1" |
Annual temperature rises 10.7Β°F moving to Houston per NOAA normals.
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: MOFFETT FEDERAL AIRFIELD, CA US, HOUSTON-PORT, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Sunnyvale | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 153,455 | 2,300,419 |
| Median household income | $181,862 | $62,894 |
| Median age | 35.1 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30.3% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.61 | 2.51 |
Houston households earn about 10.7% less than Sunnyvale at the median β $181,862 β $62,894 on ACS 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.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (10.7Β°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 far is Houston, TX from Sunnyvale, CA?
The driving distance is 1890 mi and the route typically takes 32h 53m via I 10 and US 87. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Houston compare to Sunnyvale?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Houston MSA vs $81,470 in the Sunnyvale 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 Sunnyvale?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $264,336 in Houston vs $2,168,909 in Sunnyvale β a 87.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Sunnyvale to Houston?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1890 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Houston more expensive than Sunnyvale?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Houston is 10.7% lower than Sunnyvale (98.629 vs 110.423, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Sunnyvale vs Houston?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,894 in Houston vs $181,862 in Sunnyvale β a 65.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Sunnyvale.
City profiles: Sunnyvale, CA Β· Houston, TX.