Moving from Mobile, AL to Sugar Land, TX
It is a 485 mi drive, roughly 9h 2m, between Mobile, AL and Sugar Land, TX. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
485 mi Β· 9h 2m by car Β· AL β MS β LA β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | AL β MS β LA β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 12, I 69 |
| Major cities en route | New Orleans, Beaumont, Pasadena, League City, Houston |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Mobile | Sugar Land | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 88.098 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.185 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.397 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 60.116 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 12.0% above Mobile β 88.098 β 98.629 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
12.0% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Mobile -2.1%, Sugar Land -0.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Mobile | Sugar Land |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 69Β°F | 71Β°F |
| January avg low | 43Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 60.5" | 51.1" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Sugar Land β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MOBILE DWTN AP, AL US, SUGAR LAND, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Mobile | Sugar Land |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 185,097 | 109,735 |
| Median household income | $51,090 | $137,511 |
| Median age | 37.7 | 42.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20% | 35.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.39 | 2.9 |
Sugar Land households earn about 12.0% more than Mobile at the median β $51,090 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 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 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.
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.
- 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 does household income compare in Mobile vs Sugar Land?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $137,511 in Sugar Land vs $51,090 in Mobile β a 169.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Sugar Land compared to Mobile?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $447,176 in Sugar Land vs $194,564 in Mobile β a 129.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Sugar Land compare to Mobile?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Sugar Land MSA vs $41,660 in the Mobile MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 and 169,730 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Sugar Land more expensive than Mobile?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Sugar Land is 12.0% higher than Mobile (98.629 vs 88.098, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Sugar Land, TX from Mobile, AL?
The driving distance is 485 mi and the route typically takes 9h 2m via I 10 and I 12. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Mobile 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 485 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Mobile.
City profiles: Mobile, AL Β· Sugar Land, TX.