Moving from Raleigh, NC to Sugar Land, TX
It is 1219 mi between Raleigh and Sugar Land — roughly 22h 42m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 7 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.
1219 mi · 22h 42m by car · NC → SC → GA → AL → MS → LA → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | NC → SC → GA → AL → MS → LA → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 85, I 10, I 65 |
| Major cities en route | Cary, Durham, Greensboro, High Point, Winston Salem |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Raleigh | Sugar Land | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.157 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.96 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 103.476 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level — BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing stays roughly flat moving from Raleigh to Sugar Land — $433,996 vs $447,176 (2026-03).
YoY change: Raleigh -2.3%, Sugar Land -0.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Raleigh | Sugar Land |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61°F | 71°F |
| January avg low | 32°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 4.5" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 49.4" | 51.1" |
Annual temperature rises 9.5°F moving to Sugar Land per NOAA normals.
Effectively snow-free year in Sugar Land — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: RALEIGH STATE UNIV, NC US, SUGAR LAND, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Raleigh | Sugar Land |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 470,763 | 109,735 |
| Median household income | $82,424 | $137,511 |
| Median age | 34.7 | 42.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 32.5% | 35.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.39 | 2.9 |
Sugar Land households earn about 0.5% more than Raleigh at the median — $82,424 → $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 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
When is the best time to move from Raleigh 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 1219 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Sugar Land more expensive than Raleigh?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Sugar Land is 0.5% higher than Raleigh (98.629 vs 98.157, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Raleigh vs Sugar Land?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $137,511 in Sugar Land vs $82,424 in Raleigh — a 66.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Sugar Land compare to Raleigh?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Sugar Land MSA vs $48,800 in the Raleigh MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 and 702,580 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Sugar Land compared to Raleigh?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $447,176 in Sugar Land vs $433,996 in Raleigh — a 3.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Raleigh and Sugar Land?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.6°F in Sugar Land vs 61.1°F in Raleigh (9.5°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 4.5 in. Annual precipitation: 51.1 in vs 49.4 in.
How far is Sugar Land, TX from Raleigh, NC?
The driving distance is 1219 mi and the route typically takes 22h 42m via I 85 and I 10. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Raleigh.
City profiles: Raleigh, NC · Sugar Land, TX.