Moving from Joliet, IL to Sugar Land, TX
The drive from Joliet, IL to Sugar Land, TX runs 1054 mi — about 19h 27m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
1054 mi · 19h 27m by car · IL → MO → AR → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | IL → MO → AR → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 55, US 59, US 67 |
| Major cities en route | Aurora, Naperville, Springfield, St Louis, Little Rock |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Joliet | 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 |
Sugar Land and Joliet are close on the overall BEA RPP (103.595 vs 98.629); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Sugar Land typical home at $447,176 is 4.8% above Joliet at $259,875 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Joliet +1.9%, Sugar Land -0.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Joliet | Sugar Land |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50°F | 71°F |
| January avg low | 17°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 84°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 16.9" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 38.0" | 51.1" |
NOAA normals show Sugar Land running 20.2°F above Joliet on the annual mean.
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: JOLIET BRANDON RD DAM, IL US, SUGAR LAND, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Joliet | Sugar Land |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 109,735 |
| Median household income | $88,026 | $137,511 |
| Median age | 35.3 | 42.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16% | 35.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.96 | 2.9 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 4.8% between Joliet 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 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 — 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.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (20.2°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 far is Sugar Land, TX from Joliet, IL?
The driving distance is 1054 mi and the route typically takes 19h 27m via I 55 and US 59. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Sugar Land more expensive than Joliet?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Sugar Land is 4.8% lower than Joliet (98.629 vs 103.595, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Joliet vs Sugar Land?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $137,511 in Sugar Land vs $88,026 in Joliet — a 56.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Sugar Land compare to Joliet?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Sugar Land MSA vs $49,790 in the Joliet 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.
When is the best time to move from Joliet 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 1054 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Joliet and Sugar Land?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.6°F in Sugar Land vs 50.4°F in Joliet (20.2°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 16.9 in. Annual precipitation: 51.1 in vs 38.0 in.
How much do homes cost in Sugar Land compared to Joliet?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $447,176 in Sugar Land vs $259,875 in Joliet — a 72.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Joliet.
City profiles: Joliet, IL · Sugar Land, TX.