Moving from Garland, TX to Sugar Land, TX
It is a 272 mi drive, roughly 4h 55m, between Garland, TX and Sugar Land, TX. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
272 mi Β· 4h 55m by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 45, SHT, I 635 |
| Major cities en route | Plano, Frisco, Mckinney, Carrollton, Lewisville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Garland | Sugar Land | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
Garland 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 $286,805 in Garland to $447,176 in Sugar Land, a 4.3% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Garland -5.4%, Sugar Land -0.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Garland | Sugar Land |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 71Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 41.9" | 51.1" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 65.8Β°F vs 70.6Β°F 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: RICHARDSON, TX US, SUGAR LAND, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Garland | Sugar Land |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 245,298 | 109,735 |
| Median household income | $74,717 | $137,511 |
| Median age | 34.7 | 42.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.3% | 35.2% |
| Avg household size | 3.04 | 2.9 |
Sugar Land households earn about 4.3% more than Garland at the median β $74,717 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.
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.
- 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.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Garland 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 272 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 Garland vs Sugar Land?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $137,511 in Sugar Land vs $74,717 in Garland β a 84.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Sugar Land compared to Garland?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $447,176 in Sugar Land vs $286,805 in Garland β a 55.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Sugar Land compare to Garland?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Sugar Land MSA vs $48,440 in the Garland MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Sugar Land, TX from Garland, TX?
The driving distance is 272 mi and the route typically takes 4h 55m via I 45 and SHT. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Sugar Land more expensive than Garland?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Sugar Land is 4.3% lower than Garland (98.629 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Garland.
City profiles: Garland, TX Β· Sugar Land, TX.