Moving from Arlington, TX to Sugar Land, TX
The 276 mi from Arlington to Sugar Land translate to about 4h 57m behind the wheel through 1 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary β MSA, climate zone, or tax jurisdiction. The sections below set the two cities side by side on housing, income, cost of living, climate, and jobs.
276 mi Β· 4h 57m by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 45, SHT, I 20 |
| Major cities en route | Fort Worth, Lewisville, Irving, Grand Prairie, Carrollton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Arlington | Sugar Land | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
Sugar Land and Arlington are close on the overall BEA RPP (103.09 vs 98.629); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Sugar Land typical home at $447,176 is 4.3% above Arlington at $310,971 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Arlington -3.0%, Sugar Land -0.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Arlington | Sugar Land |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 71Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 96Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 36.2" | 51.1" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 66.8Β°F vs 70.6Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Sugar Land sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ARLINGTON MUNI AP, TX US, SUGAR LAND, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Arlington | Sugar Land |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 394,769 | 109,735 |
| Median household income | $73,519 | $137,511 |
| Median age | 33.6 | 42.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.8% | 35.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.81 | 2.9 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 4.3% between Arlington and Sugar Land (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Sugar Land MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 387,430 | $41,570 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 305,780 | $39,450 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 288,170 | $27,490 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 269,160 | $35,450 |
| Management Occupations | 268,670 | $109,460 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Sugar Land average 94Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Sugar Land averages 51.1 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
Frequently asked
How far is Sugar Land, TX from Arlington, TX?
The driving distance is 276 mi and the route typically takes 4h 57m via I 45 and SHT. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Sugar Land more expensive than Arlington?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Sugar Land is 4.3% lower than Arlington (98.629 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Arlington vs Sugar Land?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $137,511 in Sugar Land vs $73,519 in Arlington β a 87.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Sugar Land compare to Arlington?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Sugar Land MSA vs $48,440 in the Arlington MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Sugar Land compared to Arlington?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $447,176 in Sugar Land vs $310,971 in Arlington β a 43.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Arlington to Sugar Land?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 276 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Arlington.
City profiles: Arlington, TX Β· Sugar Land, TX.