Moving from Cambridge, MA to Sugar Land, TX
Cross-country relocations like Cambridge, MA β Sugar Land, TX cover 1859 mi and about 35h 3m of driving through 13 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1859 mi Β· 35h 3m by car Β· MA β CT β NY β NJ β PA β WV β VA β TN β GA β AL β MS β LA β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | MA β CT β NY β NJ β PA β WV β VA β TN β GA β AL β MS β LA β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 81, I 59, I 10 |
| Major cities en route | Lowell, Boston, Brockton, Worcester, Springfield |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Cambridge | Sugar Land | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.266 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.768 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 99.651 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.424 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
Sugar Land is 8.9% cheaper than Cambridge overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Sugar Land is 8.9% below Cambridge β $1,041,569 vs $447,176 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Cambridge -1.5%, Sugar Land -0.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Cambridge | Sugar Land |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51Β°F | 71Β°F |
| January avg low | 19Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 85Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 49.4" | 51.1" |
Sugar Land runs 19.4Β°F warmer on the annual average (51.2Β°F vs 70.6Β°F) β a climate shift you will feel in cooling bills and wardrobe alike.
Sugar Land gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: JAMAICA PLAIN, MA US, SUGAR LAND, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Cambridge | Sugar Land |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,794 | 109,735 |
| Median household income | $126,469 | $137,511 |
| Median age | 30.5 | 42.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.8% | 35.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.38 | 2.9 |
Income steps up 8.9%: $126,469 in Cambridge vs $137,511 in Sugar Land.
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 Massachusetts 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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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.
Winter driving along this route
- Lake-effect off Lake Ontario can shut down I-81 and I-90 for hours in winter β check 511NY.
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- I-77 at Flat Top Mountain and I-64 through the Greenbrier Valley see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
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.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (19.4Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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
When is the best time to move from Cambridge 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 1859 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Cambridge vs Sugar Land?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $137,511 in Sugar Land vs $126,469 in Cambridge β a 8.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Sugar Land, TX from Cambridge, MA?
The driving distance is 1859 mi and the route typically takes 35h 3m via I 81 and I 59. The trip crosses 13 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Sugar Land more expensive than Cambridge?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Sugar Land is 8.9% lower than Cambridge (98.629 vs 108.266, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Sugar Land compared to Cambridge?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $447,176 in Sugar Land vs $1,041,569 in Cambridge β a 57.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Cambridge.
City profiles: Cambridge, MA Β· Sugar Land, TX.