Idaho to Texas Moving Guide
Updated June 14, 2025

Planning a 1,459 mile interstate move from Idaho to Texas? This moving guide will help you compare living in Idaho vs Texas across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs milder winters), food & health (like Idaho Potatoes vs Texas Barbecue Brisket), real estate & housing (craftsman, ranch vs spanish, ranch), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Idaho), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Idaho Potatoes and Elk Steak, but get your taste buds ready for Texas Barbecue Brisket & Smoked Brisket
- Texas housing costs are 33% less expensive than they are in Idaho
- Rent in Texas is 4.80% more expensive than in Idaho
- Moving from Idaho to Texas will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,500
- Our top recommended Idaho to Texas movers is Phoenix Express Specialty Moving & Delivery
Idaho to Texas Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Idaho to Texas
- Harsh winters
- Limited job market
- Rural lifestyle
- Fewer flight options
- Milder winters
- Thriving job market
- Urban amenities
- Major airports
- Higher cost of living
- Hot summers
- Busy urban areas
- Higher traffic congestion
- Low cost of living
- Outdoor activities
- Small town charm
- Friendly communities
Pros of moving from Idaho to Texas
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to milder winters
- Look forward to moving away from a limited job market and moving to Texas with a thriving job market
- Swap the rural lifestyle of Idaho for urban amenities in Texas
- Get ready for major airports in Texas
Cons of moving from Idaho to Texas
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a low cost of living in Idaho to live with a higher cost of living in Texas
- You'll lose out on the pro of outdoor activities and have to settle for the con of hot summers
- Time to bid farewell to small town charm and get used to busy urban areas in Texas
- Swap friendly communities for higher traffic congestion
Idaho vs. Texas: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Idaho | Texas |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Idaho Potatoes | Texas Barbecue Brisket |
Most popular meat dish | Elk Steak | Smoked Brisket |
Most popular street food item | Finger Steaks | Tacos |
Most popular vegan food | Quinoa Salad | Tex-Mex Veggie Bowls |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness | 💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪 | 💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪 |
Abundance of Food Trucks | 🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚 | 🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚 |
Foodie Scene | 🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴 | 🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴 |
Vegan Friendly | 🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱 | 🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱 |
If you're moving from Idaho to Texas, you will be trading the iconic Idaho Potatoes of Idaho for the equally delicious Texas Barbecue Brisket of Texas. And while the locals in Idaho rave about their flavorful Elk Steak and sumptuous Finger Steaks, Texas residents know they have tasty Smoked Brisket and Tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Quinoa Salad they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Tex-Mex Veggie Bowls of Texas. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Idaho eateries like The Chocolat Bar, State & Lemp, and Barbacoa. After the boxes are unpacked in Texas, don't wait too long before making your way to Texas' acclaimed eateries like Franklin Barbecue, La Hacienda Ranch, and Killen's Barbecue.
When comparing lifestyles, Texas shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Idaho. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Texas compared to what you are used to in Idaho. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Texas.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Idaho and Texas
Comparison | Idaho | Texas |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Craftsman, Ranch | Spanish, Ranch |
Walkability | 👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟 | 👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟 |
Bikeability | 🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲 | 🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲 |
Urban Lifestyle | 🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️ | 🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Mountain views, Proximity to nature | Energy efficiency, Spacious backyards |
- The Craftsman and Ranch architecture that Idaho is known for will be replaced with the Spanish and Ranch architecture typical of Texas.
- Compared to Idaho's real estate listings that commonly reference mountain views and proximity to nature, Texas real estate listings often highlight features like energy efficiency and spacious backyards.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Texas is more walkable than Idaho.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Texas is more bike-friendly than Idaho.
- Texas has more of an urban feel than Idaho.
- Texas housing costs are 33% less expensive than they are in Idaho, with a median home price of $304,027 compared to Idaho’s $451,298.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Texas have increased by 45% compared to a 69% increase in Idaho.
- Rent in Texas is 4.80% more expensive than in Idaho.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Idaho and Texas
Comparison | Idaho | Texas |
---|---|---|
Days of Sunshine per Year | ☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️ | ☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️ |
Avg. Annual Humidity | 💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦 | 💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦 |
Avg. UV Index | 🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️ | 🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️ |
Natural Disasters | Wildfires, Floods | Hurricanes, Tornadoes |
Air Quality | Good | Varies by area, generally Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (°F) | 85°F / 53°F | 94°F / 73°F |
Average Winter High/Low (°F) | 37°F / 17°F | 60°F / 40°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 18" | 36" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 60" | 1" |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Idaho to Texas. Texas gets 15% more sunshine days than Idaho.
- Texas has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Idaho.
- Say goodbye to the possible wildfires and floods in Idaho, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and tornadoes in Texas.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Texas is 9 degrees warmer than in Idaho.
- The average winter lows are 23 degrees warmer than they are in Idaho.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Texas. Texas receives 18 more inches of rain compared to Idaho.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Idaho and Texas
Comparison | Idaho | Texas |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $72,785 | $72,284 |
Cost of Living Index | 91.5 | 91.1 |
State Income Tax | 6.5% | 0% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.76% | 1.81% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6% | 8.25% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Technology, Tourism | Energy, Technology, Healthcare |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | High |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Texas tend to earn about 1% less than in Idaho
- The COLI in Texas is 0% lower than what you are used to living in Idaho
- Hooray, moving to TX means you'll no longer have to pay state income taxes
- The affluence in Texas is high compared to moderate in Idaho
- The poverty level is moderate in Texas compared to low in Idaho
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Idaho and high in Texas
Political and Religious Climate in Idaho vs. Texas
Comparison | Idaho | Texas |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Conservative | Mix of Conservative and Liberal |
Local Politics | Smaller government, agricultural interests | Diverse interests from oil to technology |
Religion | Christian, with a significant LDS presence | Christian, with a large evangelical community |
- Idaho tends to lean conservative in its political climate
- Texas, on the other hand, is often described as a mix of conservative and liberal
- Texas's religious environment can be described as Christian, with a large evangelical community
- Idaho's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christian, with a significant LDS presence
Education Guide When Moving from Idaho to Texas
Comparison | Idaho | Texas |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Boise State University University of Idaho Idaho State University | University of Texas at Austin Texas A&M University University of Houston |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | North Star Charter School (Eagle) Anser Charter School (Garden City) Galileo STEM Academy (Eagle) | Canyon Creek Elementary (Richardson) Caruth Hills and Homeplace (Dallas) School of Science and Engineering (Dallas) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Heritage Middle School (Meridian) Lakeland Jr. High School (Rathdrum) Victory Middle School (Meridian) | William B. Travis Acad./Vangrd for Academically Tag (Dallas) Randolph Middle (Universal City) Cinco Ranch Junior High (Katy) |
Top 3 High Schools | Boise High School (Boise) Timberline High School (Boise) Renaissance High School (Meridian) | Liberal Arts and Science Academy (Austin) School for the Talented and Gifted (Dallas) Westlake High School (Austin) |
Top 3 private high schools | The Ambrose School (Meridian) Bishop Kelly High School (Boise) Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy (Coeur d'Alene) | St. Mark's School of Texas (Dallas) The Hockaday School (Dallas) Bishop Lynch High School (Dallas) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Foothills School of Arts and Sciences (Boise) The Sage School (Hailey) Riverstone International School (Boise) | Greenhill School (Addison) The John Cooper School (The Woodlands) Trinity Valley School (Fort Worth) |
Top 3 School Districts | Boise School District West Ada School District Blaine County School District | Eanes Independent School District Highland Park Independent School District Carroll Independent School District |
How Much Do Idaho to Texas Movers Cost?
Moving 1,459 miles from Idaho to Texas will typically cost between $3,000 and $7,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,000 - $7,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-6 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: New Braunfels Moving Company, LLC
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,030 | 300 ft3 | $6.77 |
1 Bedroom | $3,022 | 450 ft3 | $6.72 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,999 | 750 ft3 | $6.67 |
3 Bedrooms | $7,277 | 1100 ft3 | $6.62 |
4 Bedrooms | $10,505 | 1600 ft3 | $6.57 |
5+ Bedrooms | $11,728 | 1800 ft3 | $6.52 |
Top Idaho to Texas Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Idaho to Texas movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Phoenix Express Specialty Moving & Delivery
Best moving company overall for Idaho to Texas