Moving from Cedar Rapids, IA to Sugar Land, TX
Relocating 1069 mi from Cedar Rapids to Sugar Land is a 19h 45m drive through 4 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1069 mi Β· 19h 45m by car Β· IA β MO β OK β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | IA β MO β OK β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 69, I 45, I 35 |
| Major cities en route | Des Moines, Kansas City, Independence, Kansas City, Lee S Summit |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Cedar Rapids | Sugar Land | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 88.963 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.981 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.73 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.447 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 10.9% 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 10.9% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $204,112 to $447,176 moving to Sugar Land.
YoY change: Cedar Rapids +2.8%, Sugar Land -0.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Cedar Rapids | Sugar Land |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 48Β°F | 71Β°F |
| January avg low | 11Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 83Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 35.9" | 51.1" |
Expect 22.3Β°F warmer on average per year β plan for air conditioning and a summer-heavy wardrobe.
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: CEDAR RAPIDS MUNI AP, IA US, SUGAR LAND, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Cedar Rapids | Sugar Land |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 109,735 |
| Median household income | $67,859 | $137,511 |
| Median age | 36.9 | 42.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.2% | 35.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.32 | 2.9 |
Expect median household income to rise 10.9% β $67,859 β $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 Iowa 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.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (22.3Β°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 much do homes cost in Sugar Land compared to Cedar Rapids?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $447,176 in Sugar Land vs $204,112 in Cedar Rapids β a 119.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Sugar Land, TX from Cedar Rapids, IA?
The driving distance is 1069 mi and the route typically takes 19h 45m via US 69 and I 45. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Cedar Rapids 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 1069 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Cedar Rapids vs Sugar Land?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $137,511 in Sugar Land vs $67,859 in Cedar Rapids β a 102.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Sugar Land more expensive than Cedar Rapids?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Sugar Land is 10.9% higher than Cedar Rapids (98.629 vs 88.963, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Sugar Land compare to Cedar Rapids?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Sugar Land MSA vs $47,670 in the Cedar Rapids MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 and 140,020 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Cedar Rapids.
City profiles: Cedar Rapids, IA Β· Sugar Land, TX.