Moving from Atlanta to Houston?
Atlanta to Houston — corporate to energy, GA's 5.39% tax versus TX's zero, plus Houston's massive economy and Texas Medical Center.
- 790 mi Distance
- 12 hr Drive time
- 11% lower Home prices
- $5,390/yr Tax savings on $100K
Houston is the energy capital of America (ExxonMobil, ConocoPhillips, Chevron major operations) and home to the Texas Medical Center — the largest medical complex in the world by employees (100K+). Atlanta-to-Houston moves are common among energy industry professionals, medical careers, and aerospace (NASA Johnson).
Why people move from Atlanta to Houston.
- TX no state income tax (GA's 5.39% eliminated)
- Energy industry careers — ExxonMobil, ConocoPhillips, Chevron
- Texas Medical Center — largest medical complex in world
- NASA Johnson Space Center
- Lower cost of living than Atlanta
- Diverse cuisine (Vietnamese, Tex-Mex, BBQ)
The money side of GA → TX.
Atlanta
- Median home$380,000
- Income tax5.39% flat (GA)
- Cost index102
Houston
- Median home$340,000
- Income taxNone (TX)
- Cost index96
Things you'll want to know about your new city.
Bookmark this page — these are the icons of Houston, organized by what kind of day you're planning.
Outdoors & Recreation
- Discovery Green — 12-acre downtown park; ice skating in winter
- Buffalo Bayou Park — 160-acre linear park; kayaking, biking, art installations
Culture & Arts
- Museum of Fine Arts Houston (MFAH) — Sixth-largest museum in US; James Turrell Skyspace
- The Menil Collection — Free private collection; renowned 20th-century works
- Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo — March; world's largest rodeo and concert series
- Minute Maid Park (Astros) — Retractable-roof MLB stadium
Family-Friendly
- Space Center Houston — NASA Johnson Space Center visitor center; Mission Control tour
- Houston Museum of Natural Science — Cockrell Butterfly Center, Hall of Paleontology
- Hermann Park / Houston Zoo — 445-acre park; 55-acre zoo
- Galveston Island (50 min south) — Beach, Pleasure Pier, historic Strand district
Houston's essential restaurants.
The dining list every Houston resident knows by heart. Save the spots, work through them.
-
Pappas Bros. Steakhouse Steakhouse Galleria
Classic Houston steakhouse
-
Crawfish & Noodles Vietnamese-Cajun Bellaire/Chinatown
Viet-Cajun crawfish — a Houston original cuisine
-
Ninfa's on Navigation Tex-Mex East End
Original 1973 Ninfa's; invented fajitas (claim)
-
Truth BBQ BBQ Midtown
Brisket comparable to Austin's Franklin (some say better)
-
Underbelly Hospitality (multiple) Various Multiple
Chris Shepherd's restaurant group; James Beard winner
-
Killen's BBQ (Pearland) BBQ Pearland
Ronnie Killen's flagship BBQ
-
Xochi Mexican Downtown
Hugo Ortega's Oaxacan-focused; James Beard winner
-
March Mediterranean tasting Montrose
Felipe Riccio's tasting menu; Michelin star
Best Houston neighborhoods for Atlanta transplants.
Mapped to the Atlanta neighborhoods that probably feel like home to you.
-
The Heights
Historic walkable, bungalows — Inman Park / Virginia-Highland equivalent
-
Montrose
Eclectic, LGBTQ+ heart, museums — Midtown ATL feel
-
River Oaks / Tanglewood
Affluent, mansions, top schools — Buckhead equivalent
-
Memorial / Energy Corridor
Suburban, energy-industry HQs — Sandy Springs feel
-
Sugar Land / Katy (suburbs)
Master-planned, family-suburban, top schools
What daily life feels like in Houston.
Climate
Humid subtropical (effectively coastal). Hot, humid summers (78-95°F, June-Sept). Mild winters (45-65°F, occasional freeze). Hurricane season June-November (Harvey 2017 was catastrophic). 204 sun days/year.
- Summer78-94°F
- Winter45-65°F
- Sun days/yr204
- Rainfall53 inches
Walkability
- Walk Score47/100
- Transit Score36/100
- Bike Score51/100
Houston is car-dependent — most errands require driving.
Outdoors & Recreation
- Buffalo Bayou Park — 160 acres of linear park, kayaking, biking
- Memorial Park — 1,500-acre urban park; Seymour Lieberman Trail
- Galveston Island — beach access (50 min south)
- Brazos Bend State Park — alligators, hiking (1 hr southwest)
- Sam Houston National Forest (1 hr north) — hiking, kayaking
- Houston Bayou system — paddling Buffalo, White Oak, Brays bayous
What changes about your daily life.
- Houston traffic worse than Atlanta (also bad)
- Hurricane risk replaces Atlanta tornadoes
- Summer humidity 8 months vs Atlanta's 6
- Energy industry network replaces Atlanta corporate
- Property tax 1.6% TX vs GA's 0.92% — increase
- Black Atlanta cultural center disappears
How to drive there.
What it takes to move 790 miles.
- Full-service (3BR)$5,500-$11,500
- Container/PODS$3,000-$6,500
- DIY (26-ft truck)$2,000-$3,800
- Best monthsOctober-April (avoid Houston summer heat AND hurricane peak season)
- Lead time5-7 weeks; 3-5 day delivery
USDOT-registered.
Moving from Atlanta to Houston: FAQ.
Energy career in Houston really competitive?
Yes. Houston is the global energy capital. ExxonMobil, ConocoPhillips, Chevron, BP, Shell all major operations. Petroleum engineers, geologists, energy traders, executives all find competitive salaries. Houston also major medical (TMC) and aerospace (NASA Johnson).
Let's find the right interstate mover for your Atlanta-to-Houston move.
Free advice from people who know both markets. No obligation, no spam, no sales pressure.
Replies within 1 hour during business hours, 9am to 5pm ET, Mon-Fri.