Moving from Wilmington, NC to Sugar Land, TX
Relocating 1228 mi from Wilmington to Sugar Land is a 22h 44m drive through 7 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1228 mi · 22h 44m by car · NC → SC → GA → AL → MS → LA → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | NC → SC → GA → AL → MS → LA → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 20, I 65 |
| Major cities en route | Columbia, Sandy Springs, Atlanta, South Fulton, Columbus |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Wilmington | Sugar Land | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 96.422 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.902 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 93.215 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
Wilmington and Sugar Land sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes in Sugar Land run about 2.3% pricier — ZHVI $416,159 → $447,176 (2026-03).
YoY change: Wilmington -1.4%, Sugar Land -0.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Wilmington | Sugar Land |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64°F | 71°F |
| January avg low | 36°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.9" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 60.1" | 51.1" |
Expect 6.2°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Sugar Land sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: WILMINGTON INTL AP, NC US, SUGAR LAND, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Wilmington | Sugar Land |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,578 | 109,735 |
| Median household income | $63,900 | $137,511 |
| Median age | 37.5 | 42.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.2% | 35.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.15 | 2.9 |
Expect median household income to rise 2.3% — $63,900 → $137,511 per ACS 5-year estimates (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 North Carolina 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.
Winter driving along this route
- I-40 through Pigeon Gap and I-26 over Saluda Grade can see chain requirements 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 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.
- 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 far is Sugar Land, TX from Wilmington, NC?
The driving distance is 1228 mi and the route typically takes 22h 44m via I 10 and I 20. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Wilmington 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 1228 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 Wilmington?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $447,176 in Sugar Land vs $416,159 in Wilmington — a 7.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Sugar Land compare to Wilmington?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Sugar Land MSA vs $43,250 in the Wilmington MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 and 142,780 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Sugar Land more expensive than Wilmington?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Sugar Land is 2.3% higher than Wilmington (98.629 vs 96.422, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Wilmington vs Sugar Land?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $137,511 in Sugar Land vs $63,900 in Wilmington — a 115.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Wilmington and Sugar Land?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.6°F in Sugar Land vs 64.4°F in Wilmington (6.2°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.9 in. Annual precipitation: 51.1 in vs 60.1 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Wilmington.
City profiles: Wilmington, NC · Sugar Land, TX.