Moving from Fayetteville, NC to Sugar Land, TX
Relocating 1187 mi from Fayetteville to Sugar Land is a 21h 50m drive through 7 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1187 mi · 21h 50m by car · NC → SC → GA → AL → MS → LA → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | NC → SC → GA → AL → MS → LA → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 20, I 65 |
| Major cities en route | Columbia, Sandy Springs, Atlanta, South Fulton, Columbus |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fayetteville | Sugar Land | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.978 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.779 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 73.081 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 7.2% higher cost of living — rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 7.2% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $225,534 to $447,176 moving to Sugar Land.
YoY change: Fayetteville +0.3%, Sugar Land -0.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Fayetteville | Sugar Land |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62°F | 71°F |
| January avg low | 32°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 1.2" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 47.9" | 51.1" |
Expect 8.7°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Sugar Land gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: FAYETTEVILLE (PWC), NC US, SUGAR LAND, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fayetteville | Sugar Land |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,692 | 109,735 |
| Median household income | $56,395 | $137,511 |
| Median age | 30.7 | 42.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.6% | 35.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.57 | 2.9 |
Expect median household income to rise 7.2% — $56,395 → $137,511 per ACS 5-year estimates (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 North Carolina 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.
Winter driving along this route
- I-40 through Pigeon Gap and I-26 over Saluda Grade 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 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 Fayetteville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $447,176 in Sugar Land vs $225,534 in Fayetteville — a 98.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Sugar Land compare to Fayetteville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Sugar Land MSA vs $41,480 in the Fayetteville MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 and 130,480 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Fayetteville 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 1187 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Sugar Land, TX from Fayetteville, NC?
The driving distance is 1187 mi and the route typically takes 21h 50m via I 10 and I 20. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Fayetteville and Sugar Land?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.6°F in Sugar Land vs 61.9°F in Fayetteville (8.7°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 1.2 in. Annual precipitation: 51.1 in vs 47.9 in.
Is Sugar Land more expensive than Fayetteville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Sugar Land is 7.2% higher than Fayetteville (98.629 vs 91.978, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Fayetteville vs Sugar Land?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $137,511 in Sugar Land vs $56,395 in Fayetteville — a 143.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Fayetteville.
City profiles: Fayetteville, NC · Sugar Land, TX.