Moving from West Palm Beach, FL to Houston, TX
A move from West Palm Beach, FL to Houston, TX covers 1121 mi and around 20h 29m 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.
1121 mi Β· 20h 29m by car Β· TX β LA β MS β AL β FL
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β LA β MS β AL β 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
| West Palm Beach | Houston | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 114.155 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 97.235 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.556 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 155.551 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 114.155 to 98.629, putting Houston roughly 13.6% below West Palm Beach on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Houston: 13.6% below West Palm Beach on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: West Palm Beach -3.1%, Houston -2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | West Palm Beach | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 76Β°F | 71Β°F |
| January avg low | 58Β°F | 44Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 61.7" | 54.1" |
Houston is 5.2Β°F cooler on the annual average (75.8Β°F vs 70.6Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Effectively snow-free year in Houston β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WEST PALM BEACH INTL AP, FL US, HOUSTON-PORT, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | West Palm Beach | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,508 | 2,300,419 |
| Median household income | $69,261 | $62,894 |
| Median age | 40.2 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.4% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.37 | 2.51 |
Median household income in Houston is 13.6% below West Palm Beach ($69,261 β $62,894, 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 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 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
When is the best time to move from West Palm Beach to Houston?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1121 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 West Palm Beach vs Houston?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,894 in Houston vs $69,261 in West Palm Beach β a 9.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Houston, TX from West Palm Beach, FL?
The driving distance is 1121 mi and the route typically takes 20h 29m via I 10 and I 75. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Houston compare to West Palm Beach?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Houston MSA vs $46,510 in the West Palm Beach MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 and 2,721,490 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Houston compared to West Palm Beach?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $264,336 in Houston vs $399,471 in West Palm Beach β a 33.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Houston more expensive than West Palm Beach?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Houston is 13.6% lower than West Palm Beach (98.629 vs 114.155, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from West Palm Beach.
City profiles: West Palm Beach, FL Β· Houston, TX.