Moving from Sugar Land, TX to Long Beach, CA
Moving from Sugar Land, TX to Long Beach, CA is a 1542 mi cross-country relocation β about 26h 26m of driving through 4 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
1542 mi Β· 26h 26m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 180, TX 130 |
| Major cities en route | Los Angeles, Glendale, Torrance, Inglewood, Burbank |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Sugar Land | Long Beach | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.629 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.288 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.639 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 104.51 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 15.1% pricier overall in Long Beach than Sugar Land on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Long Beach typical home at $857,861 is 15.1% above Sugar Land at $447,176 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Sugar Land -0.9%, Long Beach +0.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Sugar Land | Long Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 43Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 81Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 51.1" | 12.0" |
Long Beach is 5.7Β°F cooler on the annual average (70.6Β°F vs 64.9Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SUGAR LAND, TX US, LONG BEACH DAUGHERTY FLD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Sugar Land | Long Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 109,735 | 458,491 |
| Median household income | $137,511 | $83,969 |
| Median age | 42.5 | 36.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 35.2% | 22.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.9 | 2.68 |
Median household income in Long Beach is 15.1% below Sugar Land ($137,511 vs $83,969, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Long Beach MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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.
Winter driving along this route
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Dry climate: Long Beach sees only 12.0 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- 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 California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Sugar Land to Long Beach?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1542 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Long Beach more expensive than Sugar Land?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Long Beach is 15.1% higher than Sugar Land (113.566 vs 98.629, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Long Beach compare to Sugar Land?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Long Beach MSA vs $46,960 in the Sugar Land MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 3,179,460 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Long Beach, CA from Sugar Land, TX?
The driving distance is 1542 mi and the route typically takes 26h 26m via I 10 and US 180. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Long Beach compared to Sugar Land?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $857,861 in Long Beach vs $447,176 in Sugar Land β a 91.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Sugar Land vs Long Beach?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $83,969 in Long Beach vs $137,511 in Sugar Land β a 38.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
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· Long Beach, CA.