Moving from Downey, CA to Sugar Land, TX
Cross-country relocations like Downey, CA β Sugar Land, TX cover 1539 mi and about 26h 16m of driving through 4 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1539 mi Β· 26h 16m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 180, TX 130 |
| Major cities en route | Los Angeles, Long Beach, Huntington Beach, Garden Grove, Torrance |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Downey | Sugar Land | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Sugar Land are 13.2% below Downey β a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Sugar Land typical home at $447,176 is 13.2% under Downey at $888,710 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Downey +1.2%, Sugar Land -0.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Downey | Sugar Land |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 71Β°F |
| January avg low | 47Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.0" | 51.1" |
Climate warms by 5.7Β°F on the annual average β 64.9Β°F β 70.6Β°F.
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: LONG BEACH DAUGHERTY FLD, CA US, SUGAR LAND, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Downey | Sugar Land |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 111,793 | 109,735 |
| Median household income | $87,400 | $137,511 |
| Median age | 37 | 42.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.8% | 35.2% |
| Avg household size | 3.22 | 2.9 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 13.2% between Downey and Sugar Land (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 California 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.
Winter driving along this route
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close 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 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.
- 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 does household income compare in Downey vs Sugar Land?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $137,511 in Sugar Land vs $87,400 in Downey β a 57.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Sugar Land compared to Downey?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $447,176 in Sugar Land vs $888,710 in Downey β a 49.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Sugar Land, TX from Downey, CA?
The driving distance is 1539 mi and the route typically takes 26h 16m via I 10 and US 180. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Sugar Land more expensive than Downey?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Sugar Land is 13.2% lower than Downey (98.629 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Downey 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 1539 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Sugar Land compare to Downey?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Sugar Land MSA vs $50,490 in the Downey MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 and 6,185,570 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 Downey.
City profiles: Downey, CA Β· Sugar Land, TX.