Moving from Palm Bay, FL to Sugar Land, TX
Relocating 1052 mi from Palm Bay to Sugar Land is a 19h 26m drive through 5 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1052 mi Β· 19h 26m by car Β· FL β AL β MS β LA β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | FL β AL β MS β LA β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 75, I 12 |
| Major cities en route | Orlando, Gainesville, Tallahassee, Mobile, New Orleans |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Palm Bay | Sugar Land | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.005 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.064 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.24 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 111.731 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
1.4% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Palm Bay -4.0%, Sugar Land -0.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Palm Bay | Sugar Land |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 73Β°F | 71Β°F |
| January avg low | 49Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 91Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 55.6" | 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: PALM BAY, FL US, SUGAR LAND, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Palm Bay | Sugar Land |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,273 | 109,735 |
| Median household income | $67,521 | $137,511 |
| Median age | 41.3 | 42.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 14.4% | 35.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.82 | 2.9 |
Expect median household income to rise 1.4% β $67,521 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 Florida 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 much do homes cost in Sugar Land compared to Palm Bay?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $447,176 in Sugar Land vs $302,461 in Palm Bay β a 47.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Sugar Land compare to Palm Bay?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Sugar Land MSA vs $46,290 in the Palm Bay MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 and 236,890 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Palm Bay vs Sugar Land?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $137,511 in Sugar Land vs $67,521 in Palm Bay β a 103.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Sugar Land, TX from Palm Bay, FL?
The driving distance is 1052 mi and the route typically takes 19h 26m via I 10 and I 75. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Palm Bay 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 1052 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 Palm Bay?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Sugar Land is 1.4% lower than Palm Bay (98.629 vs 100.005, 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 Palm Bay.
City profiles: Palm Bay, FL Β· Sugar Land, TX.