Moving from Sugar Land, TX to Carrollton, TX
The 280 mi from Sugar Land to Carrollton translate to about 5h 6m behind the wheel through 1 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary — MSA, climate zone, or tax jurisdiction. The sections below set the two cities side by side on housing, income, cost of living, climate, and jobs.
280 mi · 5h 6m by car · TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 45, SHT, I 35E |
| Major cities en route | Plano, Frisco, Mckinney, Denton, Lewisville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Sugar Land | Carrollton | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.629 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.288 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.639 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 104.51 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Carrollton and Sugar Land is within ±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) — plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Carrollton is 4.5% below Sugar Land ($406,040 vs $447,176 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Sugar Land -0.9%, Carrollton -4.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Sugar Land | Carrollton |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 43°F | 36°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | — |
| Annual precipitation | 51.1" | 41.9" |
Annual average temperatures in Sugar Land (70.6°F) and Carrollton (65.8°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SUGAR LAND, TX US, RICHARDSON, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Sugar Land | Carrollton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 109,735 | 132,741 |
| Median household income | $137,511 | $99,115 |
| Median age | 42.5 | 38.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 35.2% | 29.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.9 | 2.6 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 4.5% between Sugar Land and Carrollton (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Carrollton MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 523,660 | $44,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 412,270 | $39,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 368,400 | $36,710 |
| Management Occupations | 350,940 | $117,410 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 341,240 | $29,000 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Carrollton average 94°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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.
Frequently asked
Is Carrollton more expensive than Sugar Land?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Carrollton is 4.5% higher than Sugar Land (103.09 vs 98.629, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Sugar Land vs Carrollton?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $99,115 in Carrollton vs $137,511 in Sugar Land — a 27.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Carrollton, TX from Sugar Land, TX?
The driving distance is 280 mi and the route typically takes 5h 6m via I 45 and SHT. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Carrollton compared to Sugar Land?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $406,040 in Carrollton vs $447,176 in Sugar Land — a 9.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Carrollton compare to Sugar Land?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Carrollton MSA vs $46,960 in the Sugar Land MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 3,179,460 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Sugar Land to Carrollton?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 280 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — 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 Sugar Land.
City profiles: Sugar Land, TX · Carrollton, TX.