Moving from Sugar Land, TX to Killeen, TX

The 218 mi from Sugar Land to Killeen translate to about 3h 56m 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.

218 mi · 3h 56m by car · TX

COL -7.6% Home values -50.8% Δ -4.0°F annual

Distance & route

Driving
218 mi
Drive time
3h 56m
States
1
Fuel (25 mpg)
9 gal
Route throughTX
Primary highwaysTX 71, TX 130 TOLL, TX 195
Major cities en routeRound Rock, Austin, Houston, Pasadena, Pearland

Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.

Cost of living

Sugar LandKilleenU.S. avg
All items (RPP)98.62991.132100.0
Rents95.28881.242100.0
Goods100.63993.757100.0
Services104.5177.884100.0

Killeen is 7.6% cheaper than Sugar Land overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.

Housing prices

Sugar Land — typical home
$447,176
Killeen — typical home
$219,957
Sugar Land — typical rent
$1,943/mo
Killeen — typical rent
$1,258/mo

Typical home value in Killeen is 7.6% below Sugar Land — $447,176 vs $219,957 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).

YoY change: Sugar Land -0.9%, Killeen -1.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.

Climate

1991–2020 normalsSugar LandKilleen
Annual avg temperature71°F67°F
January avg low43°F36°F
July avg high94°F96°F
Annual snowfall0.0"0.0"
Annual precipitation51.1"34.8"

Annual average temperatures in Sugar Land (70.6°F) and Killeen (66.6°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).

Killeen gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.

Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SUGAR LAND, TX US, KILLEEN, TX US).

Demographics

ACS 5-year 2023Sugar LandKilleen
Population109,735156,144
Median household income$137,511$58,339
Median age42.530
Bachelor's degree or higher35.2%16.2%
Avg household size2.92.61

Income gap is large: median household income drops 7.6% between Sugar Land and Killeen (ACS 2023).

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.

Jobs & wages

Sugar Land MSA — median wage
$46,960
Killeen MSA — median wage
$42,230
Sugar Land MSA — employment
3,179,460
Killeen MSA — employment
147,020

Top occupations in Killeen MSA

OccupationEmploymentMedian wage
Office and Administrative Support Occupations 16,840 $37,540
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations 15,620 $26,660
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations 14,700 $81,360
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations 13,820 $37,760
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations 12,710 $59,740

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 Killeen average 96°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 Killeen more expensive than Sugar Land?

Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Killeen is 7.6% lower than Sugar Land (91.132 vs 98.629, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.

How much do homes cost in Killeen compared to Sugar Land?

Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $219,957 in Killeen vs $447,176 in Sugar Land — a 50.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.

How does household income compare in Sugar Land vs Killeen?

Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,339 in Killeen vs $137,511 in Sugar Land — a 57.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.

What is the climate difference between Sugar Land and Killeen?

On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Killeen vs 70.6°F in Sugar Land (4.0°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 34.8 in vs 51.1 in.

How far is Killeen, TX from Sugar Land, TX?

The driving distance is 218 mi and the route typically takes 3h 56m via TX 71 and TX 130 TOLL. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.

How does the job market in Killeen compare to Sugar Land?

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $42,230 in the Killeen MSA vs $46,960 in the Sugar Land MSA, on total employment of 147,020 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 Killeen?

Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 218 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 · Killeen, TX.

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