Moving from Tuscaloosa, AL to Sugar Land, TX
It is 640 mi between Tuscaloosa and Sugar Land β roughly 11h 51m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 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.
640 mi Β· 11h 51m by car Β· TX β LA β MS β AL
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β LA β MS β AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 59, I 12 |
| Major cities en route | Houston, Pearland, Pasadena, League City, Beaumont |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tuscaloosa | Sugar Land | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 87.722 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.396 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.397 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 58.246 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 12.4% higher cost of living β rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 12.4% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $228,947 to $447,176 moving to Sugar Land.
YoY change: Tuscaloosa +1.1%, Sugar Land -0.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Tuscaloosa | Sugar Land |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64Β°F | 71Β°F |
| January avg low | 35Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 57.3" | 51.1" |
Annual temperature rises 6.3Β°F moving to Sugar Land per NOAA normals.
Sugar Land gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: NORTHPORT 2 S, AL US, SUGAR LAND, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tuscaloosa | Sugar Land |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,699 | 109,735 |
| Median household income | $48,536 | $137,511 |
| Median age | 28.2 | 42.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.3% | 35.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.68 | 2.9 |
Sugar Land households earn about 12.4% more than Tuscaloosa at the median β $48,536 β $137,511 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Sugar Land MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 387,430 | $41,570 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 305,780 | $39,450 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 288,170 | $27,490 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 269,160 | $35,450 |
| Management Occupations | 268,670 | $109,460 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Alabama and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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 Sugar Land average 94Β°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: Sugar Land averages 51.1 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- 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.
- Register to vote in Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Tuscaloosa to Sugar Land?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 640 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 Sugar Land compared to Tuscaloosa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $447,176 in Sugar Land vs $228,947 in Tuscaloosa β a 95.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Sugar Land more expensive than Tuscaloosa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Sugar Land is 12.4% higher than Tuscaloosa (98.629 vs 87.722, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Tuscaloosa vs Sugar Land?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $137,511 in Sugar Land vs $48,536 in Tuscaloosa β a 183.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Sugar Land compare to Tuscaloosa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Sugar Land MSA vs $43,690 in the Tuscaloosa MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 and 103,520 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Sugar Land, TX from Tuscaloosa, AL?
The driving distance is 640 mi and the route typically takes 11h 51m via I 10 and I 59. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Tuscaloosa.
City profiles: Tuscaloosa, AL Β· Sugar Land, TX.