Moving from Sugar Land, TX to Sacramento, CA
It is 1924 mi and 33h 18m from Sugar Land to Sacramento — a cross-country move across 4 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
1924 mi · 33h 18m by car · CA → AZ → NM → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → AZ → NM → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 5, US 180 |
| Major cities en route | Roseville, Elk Grove, Stockton, Antioch, Modesto |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Sugar Land | Sacramento | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.629 | 106.67 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.288 | 151.29 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.639 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 104.51 | 130.23 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 8.2% above Sugar Land — 98.629 → 106.67 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 8.2% above Sugar Land — $447,176 → $479,766 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Sugar Land -0.9%, Sacramento -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Sugar Land | Sacramento |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71°F | 63°F |
| January avg low | 43°F | 41°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 51.1" | 19.2" |
Expect 7.2°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Effectively snow-free year in Sacramento — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SUGAR LAND, TX US, SACRAMENTO 5 ESE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Sugar Land | Sacramento |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 109,735 | 524,802 |
| Median household income | $137,511 | $83,753 |
| Median age | 42.5 | 35.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 35.2% | 22.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.9 | 2.63 |
Expect median household income to fall 8.2% — $137,511 → $83,753 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Sacramento MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 127,580 | $49,240 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 92,040 | $35,560 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 79,450 | $43,790 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 78,260 | $38,490 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 71,860 | $81,700 |
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 — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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.
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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Sacramento average 94°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October — 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
How far is Sacramento, CA from Sugar Land, TX?
The driving distance is 1924 mi and the route typically takes 33h 18m via I 10 and I 5. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Sugar Land to Sacramento?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1924 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Sugar Land vs Sacramento?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $83,753 in Sacramento vs $137,511 in Sugar Land — a 39.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Sacramento compare to Sugar Land?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $55,290 in the Sacramento MSA vs $46,960 in the Sugar Land MSA, on total employment of 1,048,170 and 3,179,460 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Sacramento more expensive than Sugar Land?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Sacramento is 8.2% higher than Sugar Land (106.67 vs 98.629, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Sugar Land and Sacramento?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 63.4°F in Sacramento vs 70.6°F in Sugar Land (7.2°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 19.2 in vs 51.1 in.
How much do homes cost in Sacramento compared to Sugar Land?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $479,766 in Sacramento vs $447,176 in Sugar Land — a 7.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Sugar Land.
City profiles: Sugar Land, TX · Sacramento, CA.