Moving from Aurora, IL to Sugar Land, TX
Relocating 1072 mi from Aurora to Sugar Land is a 19h 56m drive through 4 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.
1072 mi · 19h 56m by car · IL → MO → AR → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | IL → MO → AR → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 55, US 59, US 67 |
| Major cities en route | Elgin, Naperville, Joliet, Springfield, St Louis |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Aurora | Sugar Land | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.595 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.581 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.258 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 112.01 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
Aurora 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
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $316,958 in Aurora to $447,176 in Sugar Land, a 4.8% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Aurora +2.9%, Sugar Land -0.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Aurora | Sugar Land |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50°F | 71°F |
| January avg low | 16°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 84°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 27.9" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 39.5" | 51.1" |
Annual average temperature jumps 20.4°F — 50.2°F in Aurora vs 70.6°F in Sugar Land, per 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: AURORA, IL US, SUGAR LAND, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Aurora | Sugar Land |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 179,867 | 109,735 |
| Median household income | $90,109 | $137,511 |
| Median age | 35.2 | 42.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.5% | 35.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.98 | 2.9 |
Expect median household income to rise 4.8% — $90,109 → $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 Illinois 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 (20.4°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
What is the climate difference between Aurora and Sugar Land?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.6°F in Sugar Land vs 50.2°F in Aurora (20.4°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 27.9 in. Annual precipitation: 51.1 in vs 39.5 in.
How does household income compare in Aurora vs Sugar Land?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $137,511 in Sugar Land vs $90,109 in Aurora — a 52.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Sugar Land more expensive than Aurora?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Sugar Land is 4.8% lower than Aurora (98.629 vs 103.595, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Sugar Land compared to Aurora?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $447,176 in Sugar Land vs $316,958 in Aurora — a 41.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Sugar Land compare to Aurora?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Sugar Land MSA vs $49,790 in the Aurora MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 and 4,506,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Aurora 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 1072 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Sugar Land, TX from Aurora, IL?
The driving distance is 1072 mi and the route typically takes 19h 56m via I 55 and US 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 Aurora.
City profiles: Aurora, IL · Sugar Land, TX.