Moving to Houston, TX
Thinking about moving to Houston, TX? Here's the practical picture: the cost of living runs at an index of 96 (100 is the national average), a typical two-bedroom rents for about $1,600/month, summers average 80°F, and Texas has no state income tax. Below: cost of living, climate, utilities, the best time to move, and popular routes into Houston.
- Cost of living
- 96
- Typical 2BR rent
- $1,600/mo
- Avg summer high
- 80°F
- Avg winter low
- 61°F
Cost of living in Houston
Houston's cost-of-living index is 96 against a national baseline of 100, and a two-bedroom rental averages roughly $1,600 per month. Texas levies a top income tax rate of 0% and an average combined sales tax of 8.2%. Build your first-year budget around these figures, not just the cost of the move.
Climate and best time to move
Expect average summer highs near 80°F, winter lows around 61°F, and about 49.8 inches of precipitation a year in Houston. Late September through April — outside the May-September peak season, when van-line capacity is tighter and rates run roughly 15-18% higher. This metro sees heavy annual precipitation — target a drier stretch to protect boxes and floors.
Setting up utilities in Houston
Line up your utilities before move day. In the Houston–The Woodlands area that typically means CenterPoint Energy, CenterPoint Gas. Schedule electricity and gas to turn on the day before you arrive so you never walk into a dark home.
Popular routes to Houston
Related research for Houston
Licensed movers in Texas
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- Rank 1 of 8.Global Elegance Moving and LogisticsLong-distance & cross-country movesUSDOT 4355323MC-1703504Boca Raton, FL
- Rank 2 of 8.TapMoveLicensed modern long-distance movesUSDOT 4445013MC-1750835Sacramento, CA
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- Rank 4 of 8.Bristol Moving and StorageRegional & NJ-origin movesUSDOT 4149046MC-1592376Spotswood, NJ
- Rank 5 of 8.Hudson Van LinesMid-Atlantic origin long-haulsUSDOT 4564691MC-1814851Randolph, NJ
- Rank 6 of 8.Royal Van LinesLicensed long-distance movesUSDOT 4179767MC-1673925West Milford, NJ
- Rank 7 of 8.Pacific Moving and StorageWest Coast departuresUSDOT 3933678MC-1458755Ladera Ranch, CA
- Rank 8 of 8.Apex Van LinesPacific Northwest originsUSDOT 4479645MC-1769076Kirkland, WA
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Frequently asked questions
- Is Houston expensive to live in?
- Houston has a cost-of-living index of 96 (100 = US average), with typical 2BR rent around $1,600/month.
- What's the weather like in Houston?
- Summer highs average 80°F, winter lows about 61°F, with roughly 49.8 inches of annual precipitation.
- When is the best time to move to Houston?
- Late September through April — outside the May-September peak season, when van-line capacity is tighter and rates run roughly 15-18% higher.
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Sources
- MERIC / BestPlaces metro cost index, 2025 — retrieved 2026-01-15
- Zillow Observed Rent Index (metro), 2025 — retrieved 2026-01-15
- NOAA 1991-2020 Climate Normals — retrieved 2026-01-15
- Tax Foundation, 2025 State Tax Data — retrieved 2026-01-15