Moving from Madison, WI to Sugar Land, TX
It is 1160 mi between Madison and Sugar Land β roughly 21h 29m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 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.
1160 mi Β· 21h 29m by car Β· WI β IL β MO β AR β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | WI β IL β MO β AR β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 59, US 67, I 55 |
| Major cities en route | Rockford, Springfield, St Louis, Little Rock, Houston |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Madison | Sugar Land | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.287 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.825 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.787 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 99.748 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable β 97.287 vs 98.629 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 1.4% higher home prices per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Madison +2.4%, Sugar Land -0.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Madison | Sugar Land |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 47Β°F | 71Β°F |
| January avg low | 11Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 82Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.2" | 51.1" |
Expect 23.4Β°F warmer on average per year β plan for air conditioning and a summer-heavy wardrobe.
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: UW ARBORETUM - MADISON, WI US, SUGAR LAND, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Madison | Sugar Land |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 275,568 | 109,735 |
| Median household income | $76,983 | $137,511 |
| Median age | 31.8 | 42.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33.5% | 35.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.19 | 2.9 |
Sugar Land households earn about 1.4% more than Madison at the median β $76,983 β $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 Wisconsin 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
- Winter storms can slow I-90 and I-94 across western Wisconsin β check 511wi.
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 (23.4Β°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 Madison 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 1160 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Sugar Land, TX from Madison, WI?
The driving distance is 1160 mi and the route typically takes 21h 29m via US 59 and US 67. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Sugar Land compared to Madison?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $447,176 in Sugar Land vs $423,767 in Madison β a 5.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Madison vs Sugar Land?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $137,511 in Sugar Land vs $76,983 in Madison β a 78.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Sugar Land compare to Madison?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Sugar Land MSA vs $50,910 in the Madison MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 and 396,960 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Sugar Land more expensive than Madison?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Sugar Land is 1.4% higher than Madison (98.629 vs 97.287, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Madison.
City profiles: Madison, WI Β· Sugar Land, TX.