Moving from Fort Lauderdale, FL to Sugar Land, TX
It is 1181 mi between Fort Lauderdale and Sugar Land — roughly 21h 36m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 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.
1181 mi · 21h 36m by car · FL → AL → MS → LA → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | FL → AL → MS → LA → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 75, I 12 |
| Major cities en route | Miami, Hialeah, Pembroke Pines, Hollywood, Miramar |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fort Lauderdale | Sugar Land | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 114.155 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 97.235 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.556 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 155.551 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 13.6% moving from Fort Lauderdale to Sugar Land — meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes in Sugar Land run about 13.6% cheaper — ZHVI $508,474 → $447,176 (2026-03).
YoY change: Fort Lauderdale -4.9%, Sugar Land -0.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Fort Lauderdale | Sugar Land |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 77°F | 71°F |
| January avg low | 60°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 64.3" | 51.1" |
Annual temperature drops 6.3°F moving to Sugar Land per NOAA 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: FT LAUDERDALE BEACH, FL US, SUGAR LAND, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fort Lauderdale | Sugar Land |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,032 | 109,735 |
| Median household income | $79,935 | $137,511 |
| Median age | 42.9 | 42.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.8% | 35.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.27 | 2.9 |
Sugar Land households earn about 13.6% more than Fort Lauderdale at the median — $79,935 → $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 Florida 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.
- 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 Fort Lauderdale and Sugar Land?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.6°F in Sugar Land vs 76.9°F in Fort Lauderdale (6.3°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 51.1 in vs 64.3 in.
How far is Sugar Land, TX from Fort Lauderdale, FL?
The driving distance is 1181 mi and the route typically takes 21h 36m via I 10 and I 75. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Fort Lauderdale 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 1181 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Fort Lauderdale vs Sugar Land?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $137,511 in Sugar Land vs $79,935 in Fort Lauderdale — a 72.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Sugar Land compared to Fort Lauderdale?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $447,176 in Sugar Land vs $508,474 in Fort Lauderdale — a 12.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Sugar Land more expensive than Fort Lauderdale?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Sugar Land is 13.6% lower than Fort Lauderdale (98.629 vs 114.155, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Sugar Land compare to Fort Lauderdale?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Sugar Land MSA vs $46,510 in the Fort Lauderdale MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 and 2,721,490 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 Fort Lauderdale.
City profiles: Fort Lauderdale, FL · Sugar Land, TX.