Moving from Lowell, MA to Sugar Land, TX
It is 1865 mi and 35h 11m from Lowell to Sugar Land β a cross-country move across 14 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
1865 mi Β· 35h 11m by car Β· MA β CT β NY β NJ β PA β MD 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 MD 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 | Boston, Cambridge, Manchester, Worcester, Springfield |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lowell | 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 |
Overall cost of living drops 8.9% moving from Lowell to Sugar Land β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes in Sugar Land run about 8.9% cheaper β ZHVI $480,319 β $447,176 (2026-03).
YoY change: Lowell +0.4%, Sugar Land -0.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Lowell | Sugar Land |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 49Β°F | 71Β°F |
| January avg low | 16Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 85Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 48.5" | 51.1" |
Annual average temperature jumps 21.6Β°F β 49.0Β°F in Lowell vs 70.6Β°F in Sugar Land, 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: LOWELL, MA US, SUGAR LAND, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lowell | Sugar Land |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,799 | 109,735 |
| Median household income | $76,205 | $137,511 |
| Median age | 35.5 | 42.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18% | 35.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.71 | 2.9 |
Expect median household income to rise 8.9% β $76,205 β $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 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 (21.6Β°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 Lowell 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 1865 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Sugar Land more expensive than Lowell?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Sugar Land is 8.9% lower than Lowell (98.629 vs 108.266, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Sugar Land, TX from Lowell, MA?
The driving distance is 1865 mi and the route typically takes 35h 11m via I 81 and I 59. The trip crosses 14 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Sugar Land compared to Lowell?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $447,176 in Sugar Land vs $480,319 in Lowell β a 6.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Lowell vs Sugar Land?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $137,511 in Sugar Land vs $76,205 in Lowell β a 80.4% 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 Lowell.
City profiles: Lowell, MA Β· Sugar Land, TX.