Moving from Wichita, KS to Sugar Land, TX
It is 623 mi between Wichita and Sugar Land — roughly 11h 2m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 3 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.
623 mi · 11h 2m by car · KS → OK → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | KS → OK → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, I 45, I 35E |
| Major cities en route | Oklahoma City, Norman, Denton, Frisco, Lewisville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Wichita | Sugar Land | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 88.946 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.459 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.027 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 66.245 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 10.9% above Wichita — 88.946 → 98.629 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
10.9% jump on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Wichita +2.2%, Sugar Land -0.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Wichita | Sugar Land |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58°F | 71°F |
| January avg low | 23°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 93°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 12.7" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 34.3" | 51.1" |
Annual temperature rises 12.9°F moving to Sugar Land per NOAA normals.
Effectively snow-free year in Sugar Land — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: WICHITA, KS US, SUGAR LAND, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Wichita | Sugar Land |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 396,488 | 109,735 |
| Median household income | $63,072 | $137,511 |
| Median age | 35.7 | 42.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.7% | 35.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.52 | 2.9 |
Sugar Land households earn about 10.9% more than Wichita at the median — $63,072 → $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 Kansas 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 — 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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Sugar Land average 94°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 — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (12.9°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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
How does the job market in Sugar Land compare to Wichita?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Sugar Land MSA vs $44,790 in the Wichita MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 and 303,910 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Wichita vs Sugar Land?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $137,511 in Sugar Land vs $63,072 in Wichita — a 118.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Wichita to Sugar Land?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 623 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Sugar Land compared to Wichita?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $447,176 in Sugar Land vs $202,720 in Wichita — a 120.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Sugar Land more expensive than Wichita?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Sugar Land is 10.9% higher than Wichita (98.629 vs 88.946, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Wichita and Sugar Land?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.6°F in Sugar Land vs 57.7°F in Wichita (12.9°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 12.7 in. Annual precipitation: 51.1 in vs 34.3 in.
How far is Sugar Land, TX from Wichita, KS?
The driving distance is 623 mi and the route typically takes 11h 2m via I 35 and I 45. The trip crosses 3 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 Wichita.
City profiles: Wichita, KS · Sugar Land, TX.