Moving from Billings, MT to Sugar Land, TX
It is 1574 mi and 27h 53m from Billings to Sugar Land — a cross-country move across 5 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
1574 mi · 27h 53m by car · MT → WY → CO → OK → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | MT → WY → CO → OK → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 287, US 87, I 90 |
| Major cities en route | Fort Collins, Greeley, Boulder, Thornton, Arvada |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Billings | Sugar Land | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 93.526 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 72.437 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.006 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 77.364 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
Sugar Land runs about 5.5% more expensive overall than Billings — RPP 93.526 → 98.629.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes in Sugar Land run about 5.5% pricier — ZHVI $392,209 → $447,176 (2026-03).
YoY change: Billings +1.8%, Sugar Land -0.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Billings | Sugar Land |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 48°F | 71°F |
| January avg low | 18°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 57.4" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 14.3" | 51.1" |
Annual average temperature jumps 22.4°F — 48.2°F in Billings 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: BILLINGS LOGAN INTL AP, MT US, SUGAR LAND, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Billings | Sugar Land |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,321 | 109,735 |
| Median household income | $71,855 | $137,511 |
| Median age | 38.1 | 42.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25% | 35.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.35 | 2.9 |
Expect median household income to rise 5.5% — $71,855 → $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 Montana 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
- Montana interstates can close without notice in winter storms — check MDT 511 before entering the state November through April.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April — check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April — check CDOT alerts before departure.
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.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (22.4°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
How far is Sugar Land, TX from Billings, MT?
The driving distance is 1574 mi and the route typically takes 27h 53m via US 287 and US 87. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Billings vs Sugar Land?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $137,511 in Sugar Land vs $71,855 in Billings — a 91.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Sugar Land compare to Billings?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Sugar Land MSA vs $46,000 in the Billings MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 and 89,600 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Billings and Sugar Land?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.6°F in Sugar Land vs 48.2°F in Billings (22.4°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 57.4 in. Annual precipitation: 51.1 in vs 14.3 in.
When is the best time to move from Billings 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 1574 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Sugar Land more expensive than Billings?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Sugar Land is 5.5% higher than Billings (98.629 vs 93.526, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Sugar Land compared to Billings?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $447,176 in Sugar Land vs $392,209 in Billings — a 14.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Billings.
City profiles: Billings, MT · Sugar Land, TX.