($1,492) Movers From San Jose, CA to Houston, TX

What to know before moving from San Jose to Houston

Moving from San Jose to Houston means adjusting to a different pace of life — and a different price tag. On average, it costs significantly more to live in San Jose than in Houston, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.

Check out how San Jose compares to Houston so you know what to expect before you relocate:

• Rent prices in Houston are 50% lower than in San Jose, which means you’ll have more money in your pocket each month.
• In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in Houston.
  Home prices in Houston are 81.8% lower than in San Jose.
• Income in Houston is 16.3% lower than in San Jose, so you could earn less for doing the same job. The top employers in Houston include H-E-B, Houston Methodist, and Memorial Hermann Health System.
• The cost of living for a single person in Houston is 24.6% lower than in San Jose. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• The cost of living for a family in Houston is 14.3% lower than in San Jose.
• The unemployment rate in Houston is 37.88% lower than in San Jose.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Houston, since the city’s sales taxes in Houston are 12.05% lower than in San Jose.
• One perk of moving to Houston is paying less in state income taxes, which are 100.00% lower than in San Jose.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,261.84 in Houston to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in San Jose.

How life is different in San Jose vs. Houston

• Houston's population is about 137% greater than San Jose.
• Houston's public transportation has a score of 5 out of 10 versus San Jose's higher score of 7.
• Houston is less walkable than San Jose with a score of 47 out of 100 vs San Jose's 51 out of 100.
• Houston has a bike-friendliness score 49 out of 100, which means it isn't as accessible to and safe for cyclists as San Jose, which has a score of 62 out of 100.
• Houston's crime rate is higher than San Jose with a score of 63.5 compared to San Jose's 47.73. This means that Houston neighborhoods are safer than 63.5% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and San Jose neighborhoods are safer than 47.73%.
• Houston is considered to be less safe than San Jose with a score of 36.5 vs San Jose's 52.27.
• Air quality in Houston is good, and in San Jose it's moderate.

Other things to consider for your San Jose vs. Houston move

• Weather: Houston's weather is moderate to hot year-round but hurricane season in the late summer months may affect your move.
• HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator you'll want to check on how to reserve it for move day.
• Truck parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
• State licensing: In-state movers operating in the Lone Star State are legally required to be licensed by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TXDMV), which issues 10-digit TXDMV numbers to commercial carriers. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
• State regulator: You can verify a Texas moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
• Moving permits: Texas does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
• Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Houston. Get started here.
• Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance.In Texas, movers typically provide Released Value Protection at no additional cost, covering items at 60 cents per pound. For enhanced protection, consider discussing Full Value Protection options with the moving company. Alternatively, explore third-party insurance providers for customized plans. It's crucial to understand coverage limits, potential additional costs, and read reviews to make an informed decision about your moving insurance in Texas.
• Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.

Where to live in Houston

Now that you've decided to make the move to "HOU", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Houston.

Helpful moving resources