Moving from Sugar Land, TX to Palm Bay, FL
It is 1052 mi between Sugar Land and Palm Bay β roughly 19h 26m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 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.
1052 mi Β· 19h 26m by car Β· FL β AL β MS β LA β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | FL β AL β MS β LA β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 75, I 12 |
| Major cities en route | Orlando, Gainesville, Tallahassee, Mobile, New Orleans |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Sugar Land | Palm Bay | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.629 | 100.005 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.288 | 88.064 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.639 | 96.24 | 100.0 |
| Services | 104.51 | 111.731 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
1.4% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Sugar Land -0.9%, Palm Bay -4.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Sugar Land | Palm Bay |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71Β°F | 73Β°F |
| January avg low | 43Β°F | 49Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 91Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 51.1" | 55.6" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SUGAR LAND, TX US, PALM BAY, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Sugar Land | Palm Bay |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 109,735 | 125,273 |
| Median household income | $137,511 | $67,521 |
| Median age | 42.5 | 41.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 35.2% | 14.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.9 | 2.82 |
Palm Bay households earn about 1.4% less than Sugar Land at the median β $137,511 β $67,521 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Palm Bay MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 28,820 | $39,710 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 24,880 | $28,940 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 22,200 | $33,940 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 16,730 | $79,650 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 15,660 | $73,620 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas and Florida
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Florida'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 Palm Bay average 91Β°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: Palm Bay averages 55.6 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Hurricane season runs June through November β stock a basic emergency kit (water, flashlight, battery radio) 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 Florida after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Palm Bay compare to Sugar Land?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,290 in the Palm Bay MSA vs $46,960 in the Sugar Land MSA, on total employment of 236,890 and 3,179,460 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Palm Bay, FL from Sugar Land, TX?
The driving distance is 1052 mi and the route typically takes 19h 26m via I 10 and I 75. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Sugar Land to Palm Bay?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1052 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Palm Bay compared to Sugar Land?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $302,461 in Palm Bay vs $447,176 in Sugar Land β a 32.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Palm Bay more expensive than Sugar Land?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Palm Bay is 1.4% higher than Sugar Land (100.005 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 Palm Bay?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,521 in Palm Bay vs $137,511 in Sugar Land β a 50.9% 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· Palm Bay, FL.