Moving from Sugar Land, TX to Jackson, MS
It is a 463 mi drive, roughly 8h 38m, between Sugar Land, TX and Jackson, MS. 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.
463 mi Β· 8h 38m by car Β· MS β LA β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | MS β LA β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 55, US 51 |
| Major cities en route | Beaumont, Pasadena, League City, Houston, Pearland |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Sugar Land | Jackson | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.629 | 89.048 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.288 | 78.137 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.639 | 96.219 | 100.0 |
| Services | 104.51 | 64.768 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 9.7% cheaper overall in Jackson than Sugar Land on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
9.7% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Sugar Land -0.9%, Jackson -1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Sugar Land | Jackson |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 43Β°F | 38Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 51.1" | 51.3" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SUGAR LAND, TX US, JACKSON HAWKINS FLD, MS US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Sugar Land | Jackson |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 109,735 | 149,827 |
| Median household income | $137,511 | $43,238 |
| Median age | 42.5 | 34.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 35.2% | 16.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.9 | 2.42 |
Jackson households earn about 9.7% less than Sugar Land at the median β $137,511 β $43,238 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Jackson MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 31,490 | $36,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 26,230 | $36,470 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 23,080 | $29,690 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 22,970 | $66,380 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 22,370 | $22,500 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas and Mississippi
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Mississippi'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 Jackson average 92Β°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: Jackson averages 51.3 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Hurricane season runs June through November on the Gulf Coast.
- 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 Mississippi after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Jackson compare to Sugar Land?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,540 in the Jackson MSA vs $46,960 in the Sugar Land MSA, on total employment of 252,860 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 Jackson?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 463 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Sugar Land vs Jackson?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $43,238 in Jackson vs $137,511 in Sugar Land β a 68.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Jackson, MS from Sugar Land, TX?
The driving distance is 463 mi and the route typically takes 8h 38m via I 10 and I 55. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Jackson compared to Sugar Land?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $87,256 in Jackson vs $447,176 in Sugar Land β a 80.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Jackson more expensive than Sugar Land?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Jackson is 9.7% lower than Sugar Land (89.048 vs 98.629, 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 Sugar Land.
City profiles: Sugar Land, TX Β· Jackson, MS.