Moving from Birmingham, AL to Sugar Land, TX
It is 688 mi between Birmingham and Sugar Land — roughly 12h 40m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
688 mi · 12h 40m by car · AL → MS → LA → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | AL → MS → LA → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 59, I 10, I 20 |
| Major cities en route | Tuscaloosa, New Orleans, Beaumont, Pasadena, League City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Birmingham | Sugar Land | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.644 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.803 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.397 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.851 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 7.6% above Birmingham — 91.644 → 98.629 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
7.6% jump on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Birmingham -2.5%, Sugar Land -0.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Birmingham | Sugar Land |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64°F | 71°F |
| January avg low | 35°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 1.4" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 56.6" | 51.1" |
Annual temperature rises 6.7°F moving to Sugar Land per NOAA normals.
Effectively snow-free year in Sugar Land — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: BIRMINGHAM AP, AL US, SUGAR LAND, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Birmingham | Sugar Land |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 109,735 |
| Median household income | $44,376 | $137,511 |
| Median age | 35.9 | 42.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.4% | 35.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.25 | 2.9 |
Sugar Land households earn about 7.6% more than Birmingham at the median — $44,376 → $137,511 on 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.
Moving between Alabama and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% 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 94°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 — 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.
- Register to vote in Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Sugar Land compared to Birmingham?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $447,176 in Sugar Land vs $135,870 in Birmingham — a 229.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Sugar Land compare to Birmingham?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Sugar Land MSA vs $44,830 in the Birmingham MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 and 509,200 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Sugar Land, TX from Birmingham, AL?
The driving distance is 688 mi and the route typically takes 12h 40m via I 59 and I 10. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Birmingham to Sugar Land?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 688 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Birmingham vs Sugar Land?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $137,511 in Sugar Land vs $44,376 in Birmingham — a 209.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Sugar Land more expensive than Birmingham?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Sugar Land is 7.6% higher than Birmingham (98.629 vs 91.644, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Birmingham and Sugar Land?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.6°F in Sugar Land vs 63.9°F in Birmingham (6.7°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 1.4 in. Annual precipitation: 51.1 in vs 56.6 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Birmingham.
City profiles: Birmingham, AL · Sugar Land, TX.