Some Houston residents are considering moving to other Texas cities after experiencing extreme weather and its aftermath, survey finds

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Severe storms and power outages in Houston have some considering leaving.

“I’ve heard from colleagues that they want to leave Houston and move back to Miami because they’ve lost power here,” said Jason Craul, a Miamian who moved to Houston five years ago.

According to a 2023 survey by the University of Houston, they may not be alone.

Of those surveyed, 29% said they were considering leaving Houston, at least in part because of the extreme weather.

“Certainly a third of Houston’s population is not going to leave, but some of them will, and so Houston will lose people who otherwise would have contributed greatly to our city and our region,” said Mark Jones of UH’s Hobby School of Public Affairs.

Jones said many of those who ultimately leave Houston may head to other Texas cities, citing the state’s strong economy.

“Dallas could start to see more growth if Houston continues to have these types of problems that drive people away,” he said.

Yet data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows that the city of Houston has gained more than 23,700 residents since 2020, following Hurricane Harvey and the 2021 freeze.

“When Harvey hit, my house flooded, and I have friends, neighbors, family coming to help me, so I think Houston’s culture is taking over its climate,” Tomas Gyarfas said.

Yet some continue to migrate from other parts of the country.

After moving from Chicago, Erica Gibbs became a Houstonian in 2024 and told ABC13 she prefers the heat.

“I moved here right before the hurricane and tropical storm. Honestly, I enjoy the heat a lot more than the snow, so I guess it’s up to you,” Gibbs said.

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