Moving from Chicago, IL to Sugar Land, TX
It is 1100 mi between Chicago and Sugar Land β roughly 19h 58m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 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.
1100 mi Β· 19h 58m by car Β· IL β MO β AR β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | IL β MO β AR β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 57, US 59, I 30 |
| Major cities en route | Naperville, Joliet, Memphis, Little Rock, Houston |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Chicago | 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 |
Chicago and Sugar Land sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $317,283 in Chicago to $447,176 in Sugar Land, a 4.8% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Chicago +2.8%, Sugar Land -0.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Chicago | Sugar Land |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51Β°F | 71Β°F |
| January avg low | 20Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | β | 51.1" |
Annual average temperature jumps 19.8Β°F β 50.8Β°F in Chicago vs 70.6Β°F in Sugar Land, per NOAA 1991β2020 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 1991β2020 (stations: CHICAGO NORTHERLY IS, IL US, SUGAR LAND, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Chicago | Sugar Land |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 109,735 |
| Median household income | $75,134 | $137,511 |
| Median age | 35.7 | 42.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.9% | 35.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.36 | 2.9 |
Sugar Land households earn about 4.8% more than Chicago at the median β $75,134 β $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 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 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 (19.8Β°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
Is Sugar Land more expensive than Chicago?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Sugar Land is 4.8% lower than Chicago (98.629 vs 103.595, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Sugar Land compare to Chicago?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Sugar Land MSA vs $49,790 in the Chicago 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.
How far is Sugar Land, TX from Chicago, IL?
The driving distance is 1100 mi and the route typically takes 19h 58m via I 57 and US 59. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Chicago vs Sugar Land?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $137,511 in Sugar Land vs $75,134 in Chicago β a 83.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Sugar Land compared to Chicago?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $447,176 in Sugar Land vs $317,283 in Chicago β a 40.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Chicago 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 1100 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Chicago.
City profiles: Chicago, IL Β· Sugar Land, TX.