Moving from Sugar Land, TX to West Palm Beach, FL
A move from Sugar Land, TX to West Palm Beach, FL covers 1139 mi and around 20h 51m of driving through 5 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
1139 mi Β· 20h 51m 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 | Port St Lucie, Palm Bay, Orlando, Gainesville, Tallahassee |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Sugar Land | West Palm Beach | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.629 | 114.155 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.288 | 97.235 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.639 | 103.556 | 100.0 |
| Services | 104.51 | 155.551 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in West Palm Beach is 15.7% higher than Sugar Land, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in West Palm Beach is 15.7% below Sugar Land ($399,471 vs $447,176 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Sugar Land -0.9%, West Palm Beach -3.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Sugar Land | West Palm Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71Β°F | 76Β°F |
| January avg low | 43Β°F | 58Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 51.1" | 61.7" |
West Palm Beach runs 5.2Β°F warmer on the annual average (70.6Β°F vs 75.8Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SUGAR LAND, TX US, WEST PALM BEACH INTL AP, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Sugar Land | West Palm Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 109,735 | 119,508 |
| Median household income | $137,511 | $69,261 |
| Median age | 42.5 | 40.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 35.2% | 23.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.9 | 2.37 |
Median household income in West Palm Beach is 15.7% below Sugar Land ($137,511 vs $69,261, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in West Palm Beach MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 393,730 | $41,640 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 306,440 | $37,640 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 261,940 | $30,720 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 239,610 | $37,610 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 194,910 | $77,760 |
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 West Palm Beach average 90Β°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: West Palm Beach averages 61.7 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
Is West Palm Beach more expensive than Sugar Land?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in West Palm Beach is 15.7% higher than Sugar Land (114.155 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 West Palm Beach?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $69,261 in West Palm Beach vs $137,511 in Sugar Land β a 49.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Sugar Land to West Palm Beach?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1139 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is West Palm Beach, FL from Sugar Land, TX?
The driving distance is 1139 mi and the route typically takes 20h 51m via I 10 and I 75. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in West Palm Beach compared to Sugar Land?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $399,471 in West Palm Beach vs $447,176 in Sugar Land β a 10.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in West Palm Beach compare to Sugar Land?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,510 in the West Palm Beach MSA vs $46,960 in the Sugar Land MSA, on total employment of 2,721,490 and 3,179,460 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
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· West Palm Beach, FL.